1
|
Manguinhas R, Serra PA, Soares RB, Rosell R, Gil N, Oliveira NG, Guedes RC. Unveiling Novel ERCC1-XPF Complex Inhibitors: Bridging the Gap from In Silico Exploration to Experimental Design. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1246. [PMID: 38279246 PMCID: PMC10816628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021246] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Modifications in DNA repair pathways are recognized as prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets in various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Overexpression of ERCC1 correlates with poorer prognosis and response to platinum-based chemotherapy. As a result, there is a pressing need to discover new inhibitors of the ERCC1-XPF complex that can potentiate the efficacy of cisplatin in NSCLC. In this study, we developed a structure-based virtual screening strategy targeting the inhibition of ERCC1 and XPF interaction. Analysis of crystal structures and a library of small molecules known to act against the complex highlighted the pivotal role of Phe293 (ERCC1) in maintaining complex stability. This residue was chosen as the primary binding site for virtual screening. Using an optimized docking protocol, we screened compounds from various databases, ultimately identifying more than one hundred potential inhibitors. Their capability to amplify cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity was assessed in NSCLC H1299 cells, which exhibited the highest ERCC1 expression of all the cell lines tested. Of these, 22 compounds emerged as promising enhancers of cisplatin efficacy. Our results underscore the value of pinpointing crucial molecular characteristics in the pursuit of novel modulators of the ERCC1-XPF interaction, which could be combined with cisplatin to treat NSCLC more effectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Manguinhas
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (P.A.S.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Patrícia A. Serra
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (P.A.S.); (R.B.S.)
- Lung Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Centre (CCC), Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center, Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz, 2829-511 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Rita B. Soares
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (P.A.S.); (R.B.S.)
- Lung Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Centre (CCC), Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Rafael Rosell
- Dr. Rosell Oncology Institute, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Catalan Institute of Oncology, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuno Gil
- Lung Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Centre (CCC), Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Nuno G. Oliveira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (P.A.S.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Rita C. Guedes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.M.); (P.A.S.); (R.B.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Weilbeer C, Jay D, Donnelly JC, Gentile F, Karimi-Busheri F, Yang X, Mani RS, Yu Y, Elmenoufy AH, Barakat KH, Tuszynski JA, Weinfeld M, West FG. Modulation of ERCC1-XPF Heterodimerization Inhibition via Structural Modification of Small Molecule Inhibitor Side-Chains. Front Oncol 2022; 12:819172. [PMID: 35372043 PMCID: PMC8968952 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.819172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of DNA repair enzymes is an attractive target for increasing the efficacy of DNA damaging chemotherapies. The ERCC1-XPF heterodimer is a key endonuclease in numerous single and double strand break repair processes, and inhibition of the heterodimerization has previously been shown to sensitize cancer cells to DNA damage. In this work, the previously reported ERCC1-XPF inhibitor 4 was used as the starting point for an in silico study of further modifications of the piperazine side-chain. A selection of the best scoring hits from the in silico screen were synthesized using a late stage functionalization strategy which should allow for further iterations of this class of inhibitors to be readily synthesized. Of the synthesized compounds, compound 6 performed the best in the in vitro fluorescence based endonuclease assay. The success of compound 6 in inhibiting ERCC1-XPF endonuclease activity in vitro translated well to cell-based assays investigating the inhibition of nucleotide excision repair and disruption of heterodimerization. Subsequently compound 6 was shown to sensitize HCT-116 cancer cells to treatment with UVC, cyclophosphamide, and ionizing radiation. This work serves as an important step towards the synergistic use of DNA repair inhibitors with chemotherapeutic drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Weilbeer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David Jay
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - James C. Donnelly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rajam S. Mani
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Yaping Yu
- Centre for Genome Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ahmed H. Elmenoufy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Egypt
| | - Khaled H. Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jack A. Tuszynski
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Weinfeld
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Michael Weinfeld, ; Frederick G. West,
| | - Frederick G. West
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Michael Weinfeld, ; Frederick G. West,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Y, Zhang TJ, Tu S, Zhang ZH, Meng FH. Identification of Novel Src Inhibitors: Pharmacophore-Based Virtual Screening, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184094. [PMID: 32911607 PMCID: PMC7571137 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Src plays a crucial role in many signaling pathways and contributes to a variety of cancers. Therefore, Src has long been considered an attractive drug target in oncology. However, the development of Src inhibitors with selectivity and novelty has been challenging. In the present study, pharmacophore-based virtual screening and molecular docking were carried out to identify potential Src inhibitors. A total of 891 molecules were obtained after pharmacophore-based virtual screening, and 10 molecules with high docking scores and strong interactions were selected as potential active molecules for further study. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity (ADMET) property evaluation was used to ascertain the drug-like properties of the obtained molecules. The proposed inhibitor–protein complexes were further subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations involving root-mean-square deviation and root-mean-square fluctuation to explore the binding mode stability inside active pockets. Finally, two molecules (ZINC3214460 and ZINC1380384) were obtained as potential lead compounds against Src kinase. All these analyses provide a reference for the further development of novel Src inhibitors.
Collapse
|
4
|
Elmenoufy AH, Gentile F, Jay D, Karimi-Busheri F, Yang X, Soueidan OM, Mani RS, Ciniero G, Tuszynski JA, Weinfeld M, West FG. Design, synthesis and in vitro cell-free/cell-based biological evaluations of novel ERCC1-XPF inhibitors targeting DNA repair pathway. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 204:112658. [PMID: 32738410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The structure-specific ERCC1-XPF endonuclease is essential for repairing bulky DNA lesions and helix distortions induced by UV radiation, which forms cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), or chemicals that crosslink DNA strands such as cyclophosphamide and platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents. Inhibition of the ERCC1-XPF endonuclease activity has been shown to sensitize cancer cells to these chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we have conducted a structure activity relationship analysis based around the previously identified hit compound, 4-((6-chloro-2-methoxyacridin-9-yl)amino)-2-((4-methylpiperazin1-yl)methyl)phenol (F06), as a reference compound. Three different series of compounds have been rationally designed and successfully synthesized through various modifications on three different sites of F06 based on the corresponding suggestions of the previous pharmacophore model. The in vitro screening results revealed that 2-chloro-9-((3-((4-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)amino)acridin-2-ol (B9) has a potent inhibitory effect on the ERCC1-XPF activity (IC50 = 0.49 μM), showing 3-fold improvement in inhibition activity compared to F06. In addition, B9 not only displayed better binding affinity to the ERCC1-XPF complex but also had the capacity to potentiate the cytotoxicity effect of UV radiation and inhibiting the nucleotide excision repair, by the inhibition of removal of CPDs, and cyclophosphamide toxicity to colorectal cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H Elmenoufy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, P.O. Box: 77, Egypt
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - David Jay
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Feridoun Karimi-Busheri
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Olivier M Soueidan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Rajam S Mani
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Gloria Ciniero
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, 10129, Italy; Università di Torino, Torino, 10124, Italy
| | - Jack A Tuszynski
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada; Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Michael Weinfeld
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Frederick G West
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fanelli M, Tavanti E, Patrizio MP, Vella S, Fernandez-Ramos A, Magagnoli F, Luppi S, Hattinger CM, Serra M. Cisplatin Resistance in Osteosarcoma: In vitro Validation of Candidate DNA Repair-Related Therapeutic Targets and Drugs for Tailored Treatments. Front Oncol 2020; 10:331. [PMID: 32211337 PMCID: PMC7077033 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of high-grade osteosarcoma, the most common malignant tumor of bone, is largely based on administration of cisplatin and other DNA damaging drugs. Altered DNA repair mechanisms may thus significantly impact on either response or resistance to chemotherapy. In this study, by using a panel of human osteosarcoma cell lines, either sensitive or resistant to cisplatin, we assessed the value as candidate therapeutic targets of DNA repair-related factors belonging to the nucleotide excision repair (NER) or base excision repair (BER) pathways, as well as of a group of 18 kinases, which expression was higher in cisplatin-resistant variants compared to their parental cell lines and may be indirectly involved in DNA repair. The causal involvement of these factors in cisplatin resistance of human osteosarcoma cells was validated through gene silencing approaches and in vitro reversal of CDDP resistance. This approach highlighted a subgroup of genes, which value as promising candidate therapeutic targets was further confirmed by protein expression analyses. The in vitro activity of 15 inhibitor drugs against either these genes or their pathways was then analyzed, in order to identify the most active ones in terms of inherent activity and ability to overcome cisplatin resistance. NSC130813 (NERI02; F06) and triptolide, both targeting NER factors, proved to be the two most active agents, without evidence of cross-resistance with cisplatin. Combined in vitro treatments showed that NSC130813 and triptolide, when administered together with cisplatin, were able to improve its efficacy in both drug-sensitive and resistant osteosarcoma cells. This evidence may indicate an interesting therapeutic future option for treatment of osteosarcoma patients who present reduced responsiveness to cisplatin, even if possible effects of additive collateral toxicities must be carefully considered. Moreover, our study also showed that targeting protein kinases belonging to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathways might indicate new promising therapeutic perspectives in osteosarcoma, demanding for additional investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marilù Fanelli
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Tavanti
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Patrizio
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Serena Vella
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Amira Fernandez-Ramos
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Magagnoli
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Luppi
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Maria Hattinger
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Serra
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacogenetics Research Unit, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Taylor SJ, Arends MJ, Langdon SP. Inhibitors of the Fanconi anaemia pathway as potential antitumour agents for ovarian cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2020; 1:26-52. [PMID: 36046263 PMCID: PMC9400734 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2020.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fanconi anaemia (FA) pathway is an important mechanism for cellular DNA damage repair, which functions to remove toxic DNA interstrand crosslinks. This is particularly relevant in the context of ovarian and other cancers which rely extensively on interstrand cross-link generating platinum chemotherapy as standard of care treatment. These cancers often respond well to initial treatment, but reoccur with resistant disease and upregulation of DNA damage repair pathways. The FA pathway is therefore of great interest as a target for therapies that aim to improve the efficacy of platinum chemotherapies, and reverse tumour resistance to these. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanism of interstrand cross-link repair by the FA pathway, and the potential of the component parts as targets for therapeutic agents. We then focus on the current state of play of inhibitor development, covering both the characterisation of broad spectrum inhibitors and high throughput screening approaches to identify novel small molecule inhibitors. We also consider synthetic lethality between the FA pathway and other DNA damage repair pathways as a therapeutic approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Taylor
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark J Arends
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon P Langdon
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, EH4 2XU Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gentile F, Elmenoufy AH, Ciniero G, Jay D, Karimi-Busheri F, Barakat KH, Weinfeld M, West FG, Tuszynski JA. Computer-aided drug design of small molecule inhibitors of the ERCC1-XPF protein-protein interaction. Chem Biol Drug Des 2020; 95:460-471. [PMID: 31891209 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The heterodimer of DNA excision repair protein ERCC-1 and DNA repair endonuclease XPF (ERCC1-XPF) is a 5'-3' structure-specific endonuclease essential for the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, and it is also involved in other DNA repair pathways. In cancer cells, ERCC1-XPF plays a central role in repairing DNA damage induced by chemotherapeutics including platinum-based and cross-linking agents; thus, its inhibition is a promising strategy to enhance the effect of these therapies. In this study, we rationally modified the structure of F06, a small molecule inhibitor of the ERCC1-XPF interaction (Molecular Pharmacology, 84, 2013 and 12), to improve its binding to the target. We followed a multi-step computational approach to investigate potential modification sites of F06, rationally design and rank a library of analogues, and identify candidates for chemical synthesis and in vitro testing. Our top compound, B5, showed an improved half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) value of 0.49 µM for the inhibition of ERCC1-XPF endonuclease activit, and lays the foundation for further testing and optimization. Also, the computational approach reported here can be used to develop DNA repair inhibitors targeting the ERCC1-XPF complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed H Elmenoufy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Egypt
| | - Gloria Ciniero
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.,Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - David Jay
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Khaled H Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Weinfeld
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Frederick G West
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jack A Tuszynski
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.,Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Elmenoufy AH, Gentile F, Jay D, Karimi-Busheri F, Yang X, Soueidan OM, Weilbeer C, Mani RS, Barakat KH, Tuszynski JA, Weinfeld M, West FG. Targeting DNA Repair in Tumor Cells via Inhibition of ERCC1-XPF. J Med Chem 2019; 62:7684-7696. [PMID: 31369707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The ERCC1-XPF heterodimer is a 5'-3' structure-specific endonuclease, which plays an essential role in several DNA repair pathways in mammalian cells. ERCC1-XPF is primarily involved in the repair of chemically induced helix-distorting and bulky DNA lesions, such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), and DNA interstrand cross-links. Inhibition of ERCC1-XPF has been shown to potentiate cytotoxicity of platinum-based drugs and cyclophosphamide in cancer cells. In this study, the previously described ERCC1-XPF inhibitor 4-((6-chloro-2-methoxyacridin-9-yl)amino)-2-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)phenol (compound 1) was used as a reference compound. Following the outcome of docking-based virtual screening (VS), we synthesized seven novel derivatives of 1 that were identified in silico as being likely to have high binding affinity for the ERCC1-XPF heterodimerization interface by interacting with the XPF double helix-hairpin-helix (HhH2) domain. Two of the new compounds, 4-((6-chloro-2-methoxyacridin-9-yl)amino)-2-((4-cyclohexylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)phenol (compound 3) and 4-((6-chloro-2-methoxyacridin-9-yl)amino)-2-((4-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl) piperazin-1-yl) methyl) phenol (compound 4), were shown to be potent inhibitors of ERCC1-XPF activity in vitro. Compound 4 showed significant inhibition of the removal of CPDs in UV-irradiated cells and the capacity to sensitize colorectal cancer cells to UV radiation and cyclophosphamide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H Elmenoufy
- Department of Chemistry , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2G2 , Canada.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , Misr University for Science and Technology , P.O. Box 77, 6th of October City 12568 , Egypt
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Department of Physics , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2E1 , Canada
| | - David Jay
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 1Z2 , Canada
| | - Feridoun Karimi-Busheri
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 1Z2 , Canada
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 1Z2 , Canada
| | - Olivier M Soueidan
- Department of Chemistry , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2G2 , Canada
| | - Claudia Weilbeer
- Department of Chemistry , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2G2 , Canada
| | - Rajam S Mani
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 1Z2 , Canada
| | - Khaled H Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2H1 , Canada
| | - Jack A Tuszynski
- Department of Physics , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2E1 , Canada.,Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 1Z2 , Canada
| | - Michael Weinfeld
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 1Z2 , Canada
| | - Frederick G West
- Department of Chemistry , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta T6G 2G2 , Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zheng A, Zhang L, Song X, Wang Y, Wei M, Jin F. Clinical implications of a novel prognostic factor AIFM3 in breast cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:451. [PMID: 31088422 PMCID: PMC6518782 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5659-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a time of increasing concerns over personalized and precision treatment in breast cancer (BC), filtering prognostic factors attracts more attention. Apoptosis-Inducing Factor Mitochondrion-associated 3 (AIFM3) is widely expressed in various tissues and aberrantly expressed in several cancers. However, clinical implication of AIFM3 has not been reported in BC. The aim of the study is to investigate the crystal structure, clinical and prognostic implications of AIFM3 in BC. Methods AIFM3 expression in 151 BC samples were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to demonstrate expression and survival of AIFM3 signature. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to investigate the mechanisms related to AIFM3 expression in BC. Results AIFM3 was significantly more expressed in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. AIFM3 expression had a significant association with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and molecular typing. Higher AIFM3 expression was related to a shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Lymph node metastasis and TNM stage were independent factors of AIFM3 expression. The study presented the crystal structure of AIFM3 successfully and predicted several binding sites when AIFM3 bonded to PTPN12 by Molecular Operating Environment software (MOE). Conclusions AIFM3 might be a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis in BC, adding to growing evidence that AIFM3 might interact with PTPN12. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5659-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ang Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 110001, No.155 Nanjing Road, Heping Districrt, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Huamei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Ningbo No.2 Hospital), 315000, No.41 Xibei Road, Haishu District, NingBo, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Song
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, 110122, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of molecular targeted anti-tumor drug development and evaluation, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuying Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 110001, No.155 Nanjing Road, Heping Districrt, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, 110042, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, 110122, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of molecular targeted anti-tumor drug development and evaluation, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 110001, No.155 Nanjing Road, Heping Districrt, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Faridounnia M, Folkers GE, Boelens R. Function and Interactions of ERCC1-XPF in DNA Damage Response. Molecules 2018; 23:E3205. [PMID: 30563071 PMCID: PMC6320978 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous proteins are involved in the multiple pathways of the DNA damage response network and play a key role to protect the genome from the wide variety of damages that can occur to DNA. An example of this is the structure-specific endonuclease ERCC1-XPF. This heterodimeric complex is in particular involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER), but also in double strand break repair and interstrand cross-link repair pathways. Here we review the function of ERCC1-XPF in various DNA repair pathways and discuss human disorders associated with ERCC1-XPF deficiency. We also overview our molecular and structural understanding of XPF-ERCC1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Faridounnia
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Gert E Folkers
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Rolf Boelens
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Homology Model and Docking-Based Virtual Screening for Ligands of Human Dyskerin as New Inhibitors of Telomerase for Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103216. [PMID: 30340325 PMCID: PMC6214037 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Immortality is one of the main features of cancer cells. Tumor cells have an unlimited replicative potential, principally due to the holoenzyme telomerase. Telomerase is composed mainly by dyskerin (DKC1), a catalytic retrotranscriptase (hTERT) and an RNA template (hTR). The aim of this work is to develop new inhibitors of telomerase, selecting the interaction between hTR⁻DKC1 as a target. We designed two models of the human protein DKC1: homology and ab initio. These models were evaluated by different procedures, revealing that the homology model parameters were the most accurate. We selected two hydrophobic pockets contained in the PUA (pseudouridine synthase and archaeosine transglycosylase) domain, using structural and stability analysis. We carried out a docking-based virtual screen on these pockets, using the reported mutation K314 as the center of the docking. The hDKC1 model was tested against a library of 450,000 drug-like molecules. We selected the first 10 molecules that showed the highest affinity values to test their inhibitory activity on the cell line MDA MB 231 (Monroe Dunaway Anderson Metastasis Breast cancer 231), obtaining three compounds that showed inhibitory effect. These results allowed us to validate our design and set the basis to continue with the study of telomerase inhibitors for cancer treatment.
Collapse
|