1
|
Di Marco G, Vallese F, Jourde B, Bergsdorf C, Sturlese M, De Mario A, Techer-Etienne V, Haasen D, Oberhauser B, Schleeger S, Minetti G, Moro S, Rizzuto R, De Stefani D, Fornaro M, Mammucari C. A High-Throughput Screening Identifies MICU1 Targeting Compounds. Cell Rep 2021; 30:2321-2331.e6. [PMID: 32075766 PMCID: PMC7034061 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake depends on the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex, a highly selective channel of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). Here, we screen a library of 44,000 non-proprietary compounds for their ability to modulate mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Two of them, named MCU-i4 and MCU-i11, are confirmed to reliably decrease mitochondrial Ca2+ influx. Docking simulations reveal that these molecules directly bind a specific cleft in MICU1, a key element of the MCU complex that controls channel gating. Accordingly, in MICU1-silenced or deleted cells, the inhibitory effect of the two compounds is lost. Moreover, MCU-i4 and MCU-i11 fail to inhibit mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in cells expressing a MICU1 mutated in the critical amino acids that forge the predicted binding cleft. Finally, these compounds are tested ex vivo, revealing a primary role for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in muscle growth. Overall, MCU-i4 and MCU-i11 represent leading molecules for the development of MICU1-targeting drugs. An HTS identifies MCU-i4 and MCU-i11 as negative modulators of the MCU MCU-i4 and MCU-i11 bind MICU1 MICU1 is required for the activity of MCU-i4 and MCU-i11 MCU-i4 and MCU-i11 impair muscle cell growth
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Di Marco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Vallese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Benjamin Jourde
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Bergsdorf
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Agnese De Mario
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Dorothea Haasen
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Berndt Oberhauser
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simone Schleeger
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Minetti
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Moro
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Rosario Rizzuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Diego De Stefani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Mara Fornaro
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Novartis Campus, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Cristina Mammucari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Haasen D, Schopfer U, Antczak C, Guy C, Fuchs F, Selzer P. How Phenotypic Screening Influenced Drug Discovery: Lessons from Five Years of Practice. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2017; 15:239-246. [PMID: 28800248 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2017.796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2011, phenotypic screening has been a trend in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in academia. This renaissance was triggered by analyses that suggested that phenotypic screening is a superior strategy to discover first-in-class drugs. Despite these promises and considerable investments, pharmaceutical research organizations have encountered considerable challenges with the approach. Few success stories have emerged in the past 5 years and companies are questioning their investment in this area. In this contribution, we outline what we have learned about success factors and challenges of phenotypic screening. We then describe how our efforts in phenotypic screening have influenced our approach to drug discovery in general. We predict that concepts from phenotypic screening will be incorporated into target-based approaches and will thus remain influential beyond the current trend.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Haasen
- 1 Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) , Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Schopfer
- 1 Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) , Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Antczak
- 2 Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) , Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Chantale Guy
- 2 Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) , Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Florian Fuchs
- 1 Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) , Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paul Selzer
- 1 Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) , Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CBT), Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fairhurst RA, Imbach-Weese P, Gerspacher M, Caravatti G, Furet P, Zoller T, Fritsch C, Haasen D, Trappe J, Guthy DA, Arz D, Wirth J. Identification and optimisation of a 4',5-bisthiazole series of selective phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase alpha inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2015. [PMID: 26206504 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.06.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the affinity-pocket binding moiety of a 2-aminothiazole (S)-proline-amide-urea series of selective PI3Kα inhibitors using a parallel-synthesis approach led to the identification of a novel 4',5-bisthiazole sub-series. The synthesis and optimisation of both the affinity pocket and (S)-proline amide moieties within this 4',5-bisthiazole sub-series are described. From this work a number of analogues, including 14 (A66) and 24, were identified as potent and selective PI3Kα inhibitor in vitro tool compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin A Fairhurst
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Patricia Imbach-Weese
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Gerspacher
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Caravatti
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Furet
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Zoller
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christine Fritsch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dorothea Haasen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joerg Trappe
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel A Guthy
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dorothee Arz
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jasmin Wirth
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Pharma AG, Werk Klybeck, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tiedt R, Degenkolbe E, Furet P, Appleton BA, Wagner S, Schoepfer J, Buck E, Ruddy DA, Monahan JE, Jones MD, Blank J, Haasen D, Drueckes P, Wartmann M, McCarthy C, Sellers WR, Hofmann F. A drug resistance screen using a selective MET inhibitor reveals a spectrum of mutations that partially overlap with activating mutations found in cancer patients. Cancer Res 2011; 71:5255-64. [PMID: 21697284 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-4433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of drug resistance is a primary concern in any cancer treatment, including with targeted kinase inhibitors as exemplified by the appearance of Bcr-Abl point mutations in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with imatinib. In vitro approaches to identify resistance mutations in Bcr-Abl have yielded mutation spectra that faithfully recapitulated clinical observations. To predict resistance mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase MET that could emerge during inhibitor treatment in patients, we conducted a resistance screen in BaF3 TPR-MET cells using the novel selective MET inhibitor NVP-BVU972. The observed spectrum of mutations in resistant cells was dominated by substitutions of tyrosine 1230 but also included other missense mutations and partially overlapped with activating MET mutations that were previously described in cancer patients. Cocrystallization of the MET kinase domain in complex with NVP-BVU972 revealed a key role for Y1230 in binding of NVP-BVU972, as previously reported for multiple other selective MET inhibitors. A second resistance screen in the same format with the MET inhibitor AMG 458 yielded a distinct spectrum of mutations rich in F1200 alterations, which is consistent with a different predicted binding mode. Our findings suggest that amino acid substitutions in the MET kinase domain of cancer patients need to be carefully monitored before and during treatment with MET inhibitors, as resistance may preexist or emerge. Compounds binding in the same manner as NVP-BVU972 might be particularly susceptible to the development of resistance through mutations in Y1230, a condition that may be addressed by MET inhibitors with alternative binding modes.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Aminopyridines/metabolism
- Aminopyridines/pharmacology
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/metabolism
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Transformed
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- DNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Enzyme Activation/genetics
- Humans
- Mice
- Models, Molecular
- Mutagenesis
- Mutation, Missense
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Point Mutation
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/metabolism
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/antagonists & inhibitors
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/chemistry
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/genetics
- Pyrazoles/metabolism
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- Quinolines/metabolism
- Quinolines/pharmacology
- Receptors, Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Growth Factor/chemistry
- Receptors, Growth Factor/genetics
- Tyrosine/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Tiedt
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tiedt R, Degenkolbe E, Furet P, Appleton BA, Schoepfer J, Ruddy D, Monahan J, Jones MD, Blank J, Haasen D, Drueckes P, Wartmann M, McCarthy C, Hofmann F. Abstract 4738: Cellular resistance screening with a novel selective c-Met inhibitor reveals a spectrum of missense mutations that partially overlap with activating mutations found in cancer patients. Cancer Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2011-4738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Emergence of resistance is a major concern when treating cancer patients with targeted kinase inhibitors, as exemplified by the appearance of point mutations in Bcr-Abl in CML patients treated with imatinib or a secondary EGFR-T790M mutation in lung cancer patients treated with gefitinib or erlotinib. In vitro approaches to identify resistance mutations in Bcr-Abl have yielded mutation spectra that faithfully recapitulated clinical observations.
In order to predict resistance mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met that could emerge during inhibitor treatment in patients, we performed a resistance screen in BaF3 cells transformed with Tpr-Met using the novel selective c-Met inhibitor NVP-BVU972. The observed spectrum of mutations in resistant cells was dominated by substitutions of the residue Y1230 in the activation loop of the c-Met kinase domain, but also included other missense mutations. Intriguingly, some of the c-Met resistance mutations observed in this cellular screen were identical with previously described activating mutations in cancer patients that interfere with inhibitory interactions in the inactive conformation. Co-crystallization of the c-Met kinase domain in complex with NVP-BVU972 revealed a key role for Y1230 in binding of NVP-BVU972. This binding mode has also been reported for multiple other selective c-Met inhibitors, some of which have entered clinical trials, suggesting a broader relevance of the resistance profile obtained with NVP-BVU972.
A second resistance screen in the same format with the c-Met inhibitor AMG 458 yielded a distinct spectrum of mutations that was rich in F1200 alterations. This is consistent with a different predicted binding mode. Again, the mutation profile observed with AMG 458 could be predictive for several other inhibitors that bind c-Met in a similar way.
Collectively, our findings suggest that amino acid substitutions in the c-Met kinase domain of cancer patients need to be carefully monitored prior to and during treatment with c-Met inhibitors, as resistance may pre-exist or emerge. Compounds binding in the same manner as NVP-BVU972 might be particularly susceptible to the development of resistance through mutations in Y1230, a complication that could potentially be overcome by c-Met inhibitors with alternative binding modes.
Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4738. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4738
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Tiedt
- 1Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Disease Area Oncology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisa Degenkolbe
- 1Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Disease Area Oncology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Furet
- 2Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Brent A. Appleton
- 3Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Emeryville, CA
| | - Joseph Schoepfer
- 2Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Ruddy
- 4Novartis Oncology, Translational Medicine, Cambridge, MA
| | - John Monahan
- 4Novartis Oncology, Translational Medicine, Cambridge, MA
| | - Michael D. Jones
- 5Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Disease Area Oncology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Jutta Blank
- 6Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Center for Proteomic Chemistry, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dorothea Haasen
- 6Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Center for Proteomic Chemistry, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Drueckes
- 6Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Center for Proteomic Chemistry, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Wartmann
- 1Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Disease Area Oncology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Clive McCarthy
- 2Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Global Discovery Chemistry, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Hofmann
- 1Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Disease Area Oncology, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Using the reverse protein array platform in combination with planar waveguide technology, which allows detection of proteins in spotted cell lysates with high sensitivity in a 96-well microtiter-plate format for growing, treating, and lysing cells was shown to be suitable for this approach and indicates the usefulness of the technology as a screening tool for characterization of large numbers of kinase inhibitors. In this study, we have used reverse protein arrays to profile kinase inhibitors in various cellular pathways in order to unravel their MoA. Multiplexing and simultaneous analysis of several phospho-proteins within the same lysate allows (1) the estimation of inhibitor concentrations needed to shut down an entire pathway, (2) the estimation of inhibitor selectivity, and (3) the comparison of inhibitors of different kinases within one assay. For example, parallel analysis of p-InsR, p-PKB, p-GSK-3, p-MEK, p-ERK, and p-S6rp in insulin treated A14 cells allows profiling for inhibitors of the InsR, PI3K, PKB, mTor, RAF, and MEK. Selective kinase inhibitors revealed different specific inhibitory pattern of the analyzed phospho-read outs. Altogether, multiplexed analysis of reverse (phase) protein arrays is a powerful tool to characterize kinase inhibitors in a semi-automated low to medium throughput assay format.
Collapse
|
7
|
Wolff M, Kredel S, Haasen D, Wiedenmann J, Nienhaus GU, Kistler B, Oswald F, Heilker R. High content screening of CXCR2-dependent signalling pathways. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2010; 13:3-15. [PMID: 20214572 DOI: 10.2174/138620710790218249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stimulation of CXC-type chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2)-transfected cells by Gro-alpha or IL-8 induced (i) CXCR2 internalization, (ii) phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (pERK) and (iii) translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) into the nucleus. Employing high content screening (HCS; i.e. fluorimetric imaging combined with image analysis) these three ligand-induced events were quantified by using a CXCR2-specific antibody, an antibody recognizing phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK) and a red fluorescent protein (RFP) in fusion to transiently overexpressed NFAT, respectively. As an RFP, we applied a recently developed mutant of an Entacmaea quadricolor fluorescent protein with favorable properties for HCS, such as high fluorescence brightness, photostability, large Stokes shift, and stability with regard to formaldehyde. Receptor internalization was closely coupled with ERK signalling both when analyzed in regard of stimulation by physiological CXCR2 ligands and when observed in the presence of antagonistic test compounds. A means of increasing the throughput or of broadening the pharmacological characterization of test compounds is the use of multiplexed imaging. Indeed, CXCR2 internalization could be multiplexed with the NFAT nuclear translocation by fixation at approximately 45 min after Gro-alpha stimulation. This multiplexing demonstrated that Gro-alpha-induced CXCR2 internalization was tightly correlated with Gro-alpha-induced NFAT translocation, also on the single cell level. The analysis of ERK phosphorylation, NFAT translocation and receptor internalization enabled the profiling of antagonistic test compounds with respect to G-protein signalling and possible receptor desensitization liabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Wolff
- Department of Integrated Lead Discovery Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Haasen D, Merk S, Seither P, Martyres D, Hobbie S, Heilker R. Pharmacological Profiling of Chemokine Receptor–Directed Compounds Using High-Content Screening. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 13:40-53. [DOI: 10.1177/1087057107312128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
High-content screening, typically defined as automated fluorescence microscopy combined with image analysis, is now well established as a means to study test compound effects in cellular disease-modeling systems. In this work, the authors establish several high-content screening assays in the 384-well format to measure the activation of the CC-type chemokine receptors 2B and 3 (CCR2B, CCR3). As a cellular model system, the authors use Chinese hamster ovary cells, stably transfected with 1 of the respective receptors. They characterize receptor stimulation by human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 for CCR2B and by human eotaxin-1 for CCR3: Receptor internalization and receptor-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (pERK) were quantified using fluorescence imaging and image analysis. The 4 assay formats were robust, displayed little day-to-day variability, and delivered good Z′ statistics for both CCRs. For each of the 2 receptors, the authors evaluated the potency of inhibitory compounds in the internalization format and the pERK assay and compared the results with those from other assays (ligand displacement binding, Ca2+ mobilization, guanosine triphosphate exchange, chemotaxis). Both physiological agonists and test compounds differed significantly with respect to potencies and efficacies in the various profiling assays. The diverse assay formats delivered partially overlapping and partially complementary information, enabling the authors to reduce the probability of test compound—related technology artifacts and to specify the mode of action for individual test compounds. Transfer of the high-content screening format to a fully automated medium-throughput screening platform for CCR3 enabled the profiling of large compound numbers with respect to G protein signaling and possible tolerance-inducing liabilities. ( Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2008:40-53)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Haasen
- Department of Integrated Lead Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Susanne Merk
- Department of Integrated Lead Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Peter Seither
- Department of Respiratory Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Domnic Martyres
- Department of Chemical Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Silke Hobbie
- Department of Respiratory Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany
| | - Ralf Heilker
- Department of Integrated Lead Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Biberach, Germany, -ingelheim.com
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Danzer KM, Haasen D, Karow AR, Moussaud S, Habeck M, Giese A, Kretzschmar H, Hengerer B, Kostka M. Different species of alpha-synuclein oligomers induce calcium influx and seeding. J Neurosci 2007; 27:9220-32. [PMID: 17715357 PMCID: PMC6672196 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2617-07.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 603] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) has been linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that prefibrillar oligomers and protofibrils, rather than mature fibrils of alpha-syn, are the pathogenic species in PD. Despite extensive effort on studying oligomerization of alpha-syn, no studies have compared different oligomer species directly on a single-particle level and investigated their biological effects on cells. In this study, we applied a novel highly sensitive single molecule detection system that allowed a direct comparison of different oligomer types. Furthermore, we studied biological effects of different oligomer types on cells. For this purpose, we developed new oligomerization protocols, that enabled the use of these different oligomers in cell culture. We found that all of our three aggregation protocols resulted in heterogeneous populations of oligomers. Some types of oligomers induced cell death via disruption of cellular ion homeostasis by a presumably pore-forming mechanism. Other oligomer types could directly enter the cell resulting in increased alpha-syn aggregation. Based on our results, we propose that under various physiological conditions, heterogeneous populations of oligomeric forms will coexist in an equilibrium. These different oligomer types lead directly or indirectly to cell damage. Our data indicate that inhibition of early alpha-syn aggregation events would consequently prevent all alpha-syn oligomer related toxicities. This has important implications for the development of disease-modifying drugs for the treatment of PD and other synucleinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Danzer
- Central Nervous System Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma, 88397 Biberach, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wolff M, Haasen D, Merk S, Kroner M, Maier U, Bordel S, Wiedenmann J, Nienhaus GU, Valler M, Heilker R. Automated High Content Screening for Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase Inhibition Using an AKT1 Redistribution Assay. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2006; 9:339-50. [PMID: 16787147 DOI: 10.2174/138620706777452447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
High Content Screening (HCS), a combination of fluorescence microscopic imaging and automated image analysis, has become a frequently applied tool to study test compound effects in cellular disease-modelling systems. In this work, we established a medium to high throughput HCS assay in the 384-well format to measure cellular type I phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) activity. Type I PI3K is involved in several intracellular pathways such as cell survival, growth and differentiation as well as immunological responses. As a cellular model system we used Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells that had been stably transfected with human insulin receptor (hIR) and an AKT1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion construct. Upon stimulation of the hIR with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), PI3K was activated to phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)-4,5-bisphosphate at the 3-position, resulting in the recruitment of AKT1-EGFP to the plasma membrane. The AKT1-EGFP redistribution assay was robust and displayed little day-to-day variability, the quantification of the fluorescence intensity associated with plasma membrane spots delivered good Z' statistics. A novel format of compound dose-response testing was employed using serial dilutions of test compounds across consecutive microtiter plates (MTPs). The dose response testing of a PI3K inhibitor series provided reproducible IC50 values. The profiling of the redistribution assay with isoform-selective inhibitors indicates that PI3Kalpha is the main isoform activated in the CHO host cells after IGF-1 stimulation. Toxic compound side effects could be determined using automated image analysis. We conclude that the AKT1-EGFP redistribution assay represents a solid medium/high throughput screening (MTS/HTS) format to determine the cellular activity of PI3K inhibitors under conditions of growth factor stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Wolff
- Department of Zoology and Endocrinology, University of Ulm, Albert Einstein Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Haasen D, Wolff M, Valler MJ, Heilker R. Comparison of G-Protein Coupled Receptor Desensitization-Related β- Arrestin Redistribution Using Confocal and Non-Confocal Imaging. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2006; 9:37-47. [PMID: 16454685 DOI: 10.2174/138620706775213921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
High Content Screening (HCS), a combination of fluorescence microscopic imaging and automated image analysis, has become a frequently applied tool to study test compound effects in cellular disease-modelling systems. In this work, we compared a confocal and a non-confocal cellular HCS system, the IN Cell Analyzers(1) 3,000 and 1,000, respectively. As a cellular model system we used the Transfluor technology in the 384-well microtiter plate (MTP) format. The Transfluor HCS assay for G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activation is based on the recruitment of a green fluorescent protein-labelled arrestin (ArrGFP) from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. We investigated two GPCRs, the wild-type (wt) beta2 adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) and the beta2AR-enhanced (E), a C-terminally mutated receptor with a higher affinity to arrestin. Upon agonist stimulation, the beta2AR-wt induced the redistribution of ArrGFP to coated pits, the beta2AR-E maintained the interaction with ArrGFP down to the formation of endocytic vesicles. Our findings reveal that the assay is feasible on both instruments, with sufficiently robust Z' statistics. Improved Z' statistics, though, are achieved with the confocal system, particularly in case of weak signals. Moreover, throughput is dramatically higher for the IN Cell Analyzer 3,000. We conclude that, depending on the needs for throughput and assay biology, either instrument may fulfil a successful role in the drug discovery process. Confocal optics, however, provide a better basis for the detection of smaller subcellular structures with lower fluorescence intensity.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists
- Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Antagonists
- Arrestins/chemistry
- Cell Membrane/chemistry
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytosol/chemistry
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/chemistry
- Humans
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods
- Isoproterenol/pharmacology
- Microscopy, Confocal/instrumentation
- Microscopy, Confocal/methods
- Microscopy, Fluorescence/instrumentation
- Microscopy, Fluorescence/methods
- Models, Biological
- Propranolol/pharmacology
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/chemistry
- Receptors, Odorant/agonists
- Receptors, Odorant/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Odorant/chemistry
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- beta-Arrestins
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Haasen
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Department of Integrated Lead Discovery, Birkendorfer Str. 65, D-88397 Biberach, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
High-content screening (HCS), a combination of fluorescence microscopic imaging and automated image analysis, has become a frequently applied tool to study test compound effects in cellular disease-modeling systems. This chapter describes the measurement of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) internalization in the HCS format using a high-throughput, confocal cellular imaging device. GPCRs are the most successful group of therapeutic targets on the pharmaceutical market. Accordingly, the search for compounds that interfere with GPCR function in a specific and selective way is a major focus of the pharmaceutical industry today. This chapter describes methods for the ligand-induced internalization of GPCRs labeled previously with either a fluorophore-conjugated ligand or an antibody directed against an N-terminal tag of the GPCR. Both labeling techniques produce robust assay formats. Complementary to other functional GPCR drug discovery assays, internalization assays enable a pharmacological analysis of test compounds. We conclude that GPCR internalization assays represent a valuable medium/high-throughput screening format to determine the cellular activity of GPCR ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Haasen
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ziemienowicz A, Haasen D, Staiger D, Merkle T. Arabidopsis transportin1 is the nuclear import receptor for the circadian clock-regulated RNA-binding protein AtGRP7. Plant Mol Biol 2003; 53:201-12. [PMID: 14756317 DOI: 10.1023/b:plan.0000009288.46713.1f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
We characterized the Arabidopsis orthologue of the human nuclear import receptor transportin1 (TRN1). Like the human receptor, Arabidopsis TRN1 recognizes nuclear import signals on proteins that are different from the classical basic nuclear localization signals. The M9 domain of human heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) is the prototype of such signals. We show that AtTRN1 binds to similar domains in hnRNP-like proteins from plants. AtTRN1 also interacts with human hnRNP A1 and with yeast Nab2p, two classical import cargo proteins of transportin in these organisms. Like all nuclear transport receptors of the importin-beta family, AtTRN1 binds to the regulatory GTPase Ran from Arabidopsis. We demonstrated that the amino terminus of AtTRN1 is necessary for this interaction. Recombinant AtTRN1 conferred nuclear import of fluorescently labelled BSA-M9 peptide conjugates in permeabilized HeLa cells, functionally replacing human TRN1 in these in vitro nuclear import assays. We identified three plant substrate proteins that interact with AtTRN1 and contain M9-like domains: a novel Arabidopsis hnRNP that shows high similarity to human hnRNP A1 and two small RNA-binding proteins from Arabidopsis, AtGRP7 and AtGRP8. Nuclear import activity of the M9-like domains of these plant proteins was demonstrated in vivo by their ability to confer partial nuclear re-localisation of a GFP fusion protein containing a nuclear export signal. In addition, fluorescently labelled AtGRP7 was specifically imported into nuclei of permeabilized HeLa cells by Arabidopsis AtTRN1 and human TRN1. These results suggest that the transportin-mediated nuclear import pathway is highly conserved between man, yeast and plants.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Arabidopsis/genetics
- Arabidopsis/metabolism
- Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics
- Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism
- Base Sequence
- Cell Line
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Circadian Rhythm/physiology
- DNA, Complementary/chemistry
- DNA, Complementary/genetics
- DNA, Complementary/isolation & purification
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
- Green Fluorescent Proteins
- HeLa Cells
- Humans
- Karyopherins/genetics
- Karyopherins/metabolism
- Luminescent Proteins/genetics
- Luminescent Proteins/metabolism
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Protein Binding
- Protein Transport
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Sequence Alignment
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Two-Hybrid System Techniques
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Ziemienowicz
- Institute of Biology II, Cell Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrassse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Haasen D, Köhler C, Neuhaus G, Merkle T. Nuclear export of proteins in plants: AtXPO1 is the export receptor for leucine-rich nuclear export signals in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant J 1999; 20:695-705. [PMID: 10652141 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-313x.1999.00644.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Transport across the nuclear envelope is mediated by transport receptors from the Importin beta family. We identified Exportin 1 from Arabidopsis (AtXPO1/AtCRM1) as the nuclear export receptor for proteins carrying leucine-rich nuclear export signals (NESs). AtXPO1 shares 42-50% identity with its functional homologues from humans and yeasts. We functionally characterised AtXPO1 by its interaction with NESs of animal and plant proteins, which is inhibited by the cytotoxin leptomycin B (LMB), and also by its interaction with the small GTPase Ran1 in the yeast two-hybrid system. Furthermore, we demonstrated the existence of a nuclear export pathway for proteins in plants. For the characterisation of nuclear export activities, we established an in vivo assay based on the localisation equilibrium of a GFP reporter protein fused to both a nuclear localisation signal (NLS) and an NES motif. Using this in vivo assay we demonstrated that the NES of the heterologous protein Rev is also functional in plants and that its export is inhibited by LMB. In addition, we identified a leucine-rich NES in the Arabidopsis protein AtRanBP1a. The NES, which is located at the carboxy terminus of the protein, is disrupted by mutating three long chain hydrophobic amino acid residues to alanine (L176A, L179A, V181A). In BY-2 protoplasts the NES of AtRanBP1a is functionally indistinguishable from the Rev NES. Our results demonstrate that the machinery for the nuclear export of proteins is functionally conserved in plants.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Arabidopsis/genetics
- Arabidopsis/metabolism
- Biological Transport, Active
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA Primers/genetics
- DNA, Complementary/genetics
- DNA, Complementary/isolation & purification
- DNA, Plant/genetics
- DNA, Plant/isolation & purification
- Gene Expression
- Genes, Plant
- Humans
- Karyopherins
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Plant Proteins/genetics
- Plant Proteins/metabolism
- Plants, Genetically Modified
- Plants, Toxic
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Plant/genetics
- RNA, Plant/metabolism
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Tissue Distribution
- Nicotiana/genetics
- Nicotiana/metabolism
- Two-Hybrid System Techniques
- Exportin 1 Protein
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Haasen
- University of Freiburg, Institute for Biology II, Cell Biology, Schänzlestr. 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|