Novel WRN Helicase Inhibitors Selectively Target Microsatellite Unstable Cancer Cells

Microsatellite-unstable (MSI) cancers require WRN helicase to resolve replication stress due to expanded DNA (TA)n-dinucleotide repeats. WRN is a promising synthetic lethal target for MSI tumours, and WRN inhibitors are in development. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 base editing to map WRN residues critical for MSI cells, validating the helicase domain as the primary drug target. Fragment-based screening led to the development of potent and highly selective WRN helicase covalent inhibitors. These compounds selectively suppressed MSI model growth In vitro and In vivo by mimicking WRN loss, inducing DNA double-strand breaks at expanded TA-repeats and DNA damage. Assessment of biomarkers in preclinical models linked TA-repeat expansions and mismatch repair (MMR) alterations to compound activity. Efficacy was confirmed in immunotherapy-resistant organoids and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. The discovery of potent, selective covalent WRN inhibitors provides proof of concept for synthetic-lethal targeting of WRN in MSI cancer and tools to dissect WRN biology.

Network integration of thermal proteome profiling with multi-omics data decodes PARP inhibition

Complex disease phenotypes often span multiple molecular processes. Functional characterization of these processes can shed light on disease mechanisms and drug effects. Thermal Proteome Profiling (TPP) is a mass-spectrometry (MS) based technique assessing changes in thermal protein stability that can serve as proxies of functional protein changes. These unique insights of TPP can complement those obtained by other omics technologies. Here, we show how TPP can be integrated with phosphoproteomics and transcriptomics in a network-based approach using COSMOS, a multi-omics integration framework, to provide an integrated view of transcription factors, kinases and proteins with altered thermal stability. This allowed us to recover consequences of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition in ovarian cancer cells on cell cycle and DNA damage response as well as interferon and hippo signaling. We found that TPP offers a complementary perspective to other omics data modalities, and that its integration allowed us to obtain a more complete molecular overview of PARP inhibition. We anticipate that this strategy can be used to integrate functional proteomics with other omics to study molecular processes.

Thermal Proteome Profiling for Drug Target Identification and Probing of Protein States

Proteins are central drivers of physiological and pathological processes in the cell. Methods evaluating protein functional states are therefore vital to fundamental research as well as drug discovery. Thermal proteome profiling (TPP) to this date constitutes the only approach that permits examining protein states in live cells, under native conditions and at a proteome-wide scale. TPP harnesses ligand/perturbation-induced changes in protein thermal stability, which are monitored by multiplexed quantitative mass spectrometry. In this chapter, we describe a modular experimental workflow for TPP experiments using live cells or crude cell extracts. We provide the tools to perform different TPP formats, i.e., temperature range experiments, TPP-TR; isothermal compound titrations, TPP-CCR; and a combination thereof, 2D-TPP.

1,3-Diarylpyrazolyl-acylsulfonamides Target HadAB/BC Complex in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Alternative mode-of-inhibition of clinically validated targets is an effective strategy for circumventing existing clinical drug resistance. Herein, we report 1,3-diarylpyrazolyl-acylsulfonamides as potent inhibitors of HadAB/BC, a 3-hydroxyl-ACP dehydratase complex required to iteratively elongate the meromycolate chain of mycolic acids in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Mutations in compound 1-resistant Mtb mutants mapped to HadC (Rv0637; K157R), while chemoproteomics confirmed the compound's binding to HadA (Rv0635), HadB (Rv0636), and HadC. The compounds effectively inhibited the HadAB and HadBC enzyme activities and affected mycolic acid biosynthesis in Mtb, in a concentration-dependent manner. Unlike known 3-hydroxyl-ACP dehydratase complex inhibitors of clinical significance, isoxyl and thioacetazone, 1,3-diarylpyrazolyl-acylsulfonamides did not require activation by EthA and thus are not liable to EthA-mediated resistance. Further, the crystal structure of a key compound in a complex with Mtb HadAB revealed unique binding interactions within the active site of HadAB, providing a useful tool for further structure-based optimization of the series.

The anticancer human mTOR inhibitor sapanisertib potently inhibits multiple Plasmodium kinases and life cycle stages

Compounds acting on multiple targets are critical to combating antimalarial drug resistance. Here, we report that the human "mammalian target of rapamycin" (mTOR) inhibitor sapanisertib has potent prophylactic liver stage activity, in vitro and in vivo asexual blood stage (ABS) activity, and transmission-blocking activity against the protozoan parasite Plasmodium spp. Chemoproteomics studies revealed multiple potential Plasmodium kinase targets, and potent inhibition of Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase type III beta (PI4Kβ) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (PKG) was confirmed in vitro. Conditional knockdown of PI4Kβ in ABS cultures modulated parasite sensitivity to sapanisertib, and laboratory-generated P. falciparum sapanisertib resistance was mediated by mutations in PI4Kβ. Parasite metabolomic perturbation profiles associated with sapanisertib and other known PI4Kβ and/or PKG inhibitors revealed similarities and differences between chemotypes, potentially caused by sapanisertib targeting multiple parasite kinases. The multistage activity of sapanisertib and its in vivo antimalarial efficacy, coupled with potent inhibition of at least two promising drug targets, provides an opportunity to reposition this pyrazolopyrimidine for malaria.

Systematic discovery of biomolecular condensate-specific protein phosphorylation

Reversible protein phosphorylation is an important mechanism for regulating (dis)assembly of biomolecular condensates. However, condensate-specific phosphosites remain largely unknown, thereby limiting our understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we combine solubility proteome profiling with phosphoproteomics to quantitatively map several hundred phosphosites enriched in either soluble or condensate-bound protein subpopulations, including a subset of phosphosites modulating protein–RNA interactions. We show that multi-phosphorylation of the C-terminal disordered segment of heteronuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1), a key RNA-splicing factor, reduces its ability to locate to nuclear clusters. For nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), an essential nucleolar protein, we show that phosphorylation of S254 and S260 is crucial for lowering its partitioning to the nucleolus and additional phosphorylation of distal sites enhances its retention in the nucleoplasm. These phosphorylation events decrease RNA and protein interactions of NPM1 to regulate its condensation. Our dataset is a rich resource for systematically uncovering the phosphoregulation of biomolecular condensates.

A combination of solubility proteome profiling with phosphoproteomics enables systematic analysis of the phosphorylation status of proteins in soluble and condensate-bound pools.

Interval-Based Secretomics Unravels Acute-Phase Response in Hepatocyte Model Systems

Mass spectrometry-based secretomics approaches frequently utilize serum-free culture conditions to circumvent serum-induced interference and to increase analytical depth. However, this can negatively affect a wide range of cellular functions and cell viability. These effects become particularly apparent when investigating transcriptionally regulated secretion events and feedback-loops in response to perturbations that require 48 h or more to fully manifest. We present an “interval-based” secretomics workflow, which determines protein secretion rates in short serum-free time windows. Relative quantification using tandem mass tags enables precise monitoring of time-dependent changes. We applied this approach to determine temporal profiles of protein secretion in the hepatocyte model cell lines HepG2 and HepaRG after stimulation of the acute-phase response (APR) by the cytokines IL1b and IL6. While the popular hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 showed an incomplete APR, secretion patterns derived from differentiated HepaRG cells recapitulated the expected APR more comprehensively. For several APR response proteins, substantial secretion was only observed after 72 h, a time window at which cell fitness is substantially impaired under serum-free cell culture conditions. The interval-based secretomics approach enabled the first comprehensive analysis of time-dependent secretion of liver cell models in response to these proinflammatory cytokines. The extended time range facilitated the observation of distinct chronological phases and cytokine-dependent secretion phenotypes of the APR. IL1b directed the APR toward pathogen defense over three distinct phases—chemotaxis, effector, clearance—while IL6 directed the APR toward regeneration. Protein shedding on the cell surface was pronounced upon IL1b stimulation, and small molecule inhibition of ADAM and matrix metalloproteases identified induced as well as constitutive shedding events. Inhibition of ADAM proteases with TAPI-0 resulted in reduced shedding of the sorting receptor SORT1, and an attenuated cytokine response suggesting a direct link between cell surface shedding and cytokine secretion rates.

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Interval-based secretomics enables extended time course analysis.

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Time-resolved acute phase response in liver model systems HepG2 and HepaRG.

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IL1b response clusters in three phases.

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Cell surface shedding is amplified during acute-phase response.

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ADAM inhibition dampens secretion of inflammatory cytokines.

SARS-CoV-2 drives JAK1/2-dependent local complement hyperactivation

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present a wide range of acute clinical manifestations affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys, and gut. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the best-characterized entry receptor for the disease-causing virus SARS-CoV-2, is highly expressed in the aforementioned tissues. However, the pathways that underlie the disease are still poorly understood. Here, we unexpectedly found that the complement system was one of the intracellular pathways most highly induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung epithelial cells. Infection of respiratory epithelial cells with SARS-CoV-2 generated activated complement component C3a and could be blocked by a cell-permeable inhibitor of complement factor B (CFBi), indicating the presence of an inducible cell-intrinsic C3 convertase in respiratory epithelial cells. Within cells of the bronchoalveolar lavage of patients, distinct signatures of complement activation in myeloid, lymphoid, and epithelial cells tracked with disease severity. Genes induced by SARS-CoV-2 and the drugs that could normalize these genes both implicated the interferon-JAK1/2-STAT1 signaling system and NF-κB as the main drivers of their expression. Ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, normalized interferon signature genes and all complement gene transcripts induced by SARS-CoV-2 in lung epithelial cell lines but did not affect NF-κB–regulated genes. Ruxolitinib, alone or in combination with the antiviral remdesivir, inhibited C3a protein produced by infected cells. Together, we postulate that combination therapy with JAK inhibitors and drugs that normalize NF-κB signaling could potentially have clinical application for severe COVID-19.

This research was financed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH (grant 5K22HL125593 to M. Kazemian; R01HL119215 to J.R.S.); National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the NIH (grant R35GM138283 to M. Kazemian); and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (fellowship FR3851/2-1 to T. Freiwald) and supported, in part, by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH; the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (project number ZIA/DK075149 to B.A.); the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (project number ZIA/Hl006223 to C.K.); and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) (project number ZIA/AI001175 to M.S.L.). T. Frum is supported by T32DE007057. Funding for part of the work was provided by the University of Michigan Biological Scholars Program (to C.E.W.), LifeARC Charity (to S.K.), and CRUK KHP Centre (to S.K.).

One-Step Synthesis of Photoaffinity Probes for Live-Cell MS-Based Proteomics

We present a one-step Ugi reaction protocol for the expedient synthesis of photoaffinity probes for live-cell MS-based proteomics. The reaction couples an amine affinity function with commonly used photoreactive groups, and a variety of handle functionalities. Using this technology, a series of pan-BET (BET: bromodomain and extra-terminal domain) selective bromodomain photoaffinity probes were obtained by parallel synthesis. Studies on the effects of photoreactive group, linker length and irradiation wavelength on photocrosslinking efficiency provide valuable insights into photoaffinity probe design. Optimal probes were progressed to MS-based proteomics to capture the BET family of proteins from live cells and reveal their potential on- and off-target profiles.

The multi-target aspect of an MmpL3 inhibitor: The BM212 series of compounds bind EthR2, a transcriptional regulator of ethionamide activation

The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) ensures that drug discovery efforts remain at the forefront of TB research. There are multiple different experimental approaches that can be employed in the discovery of anti-TB agents. Notably, inhibitors of MmpL3 are numerous and structurally diverse in Mtb and have been discovered through the generation of spontaneous resistant mutants and subsequent whole genome sequencing studies. However, this approach is not always reliable and can lead to incorrect target assignment and requires orthogonal confirmatory approaches. In fact, many of these inhibitors have also been shown to act as multi-target agents, with secondary targets in Mtb, as well as in other non-MmpL3-containing pathogens. Herein, we have investigated further the cellular targets of the MmpL3-inhibitor BM212 and a number of BM212 analogues. To determine the alternative targets of BM212, which may have been masked by MmpL3 mutations, we have applied a combination of chemo-proteomic profiling using bead-immobilised BM212 derivatives and protein extracts, along with whole-cell and biochemical assays. The study identified EthR2 (Rv0078) as a protein that binds BM212 analogues. We further demonstrated binding of BM212 to EthR2 through an in vitro tryptophan fluorescence assay, which showed significant quenching of tryptophan fluorescence upon addition of BM212. Our studies have demonstrated the value of revisiting drugs with ambiguous targets, such as MmpL3, in an attempt to find alternative targets and the study of off-target effects to understand more precisely target engagement of new hits emerging from drug screening campaigns.

Patient-derived gene and protein expression signatures of NGLY1 deficiency

N-Glycanase 1 (NGLY1) deficiency is a rare and complex genetic disorder. Although recent studies have shed light on the molecular underpinnings of NGLY1 deficiency, a systematic characterization of gene and protein expression changes in patient-derived cells has been lacking. Here, we performed RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry to determine the transcriptomes and proteomes of 66 cell lines representing 4 different cell types derived from 14 NGLY1 deficient patients and 17 controls. Although NGLY1 protein levels were up to 9.5-fold downregulated in patients compared to parents, residual and likely non-functional NGLY1 protein was detectable in all patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines. Consistent with the role of NGLY1 as a regulator of the transcription factor Nrf1, we observed a cell type-independent downregulation of proteasomal genes in NGLY1 deficient cells. In contrast, genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and mRNA processing were upregulated in multiple cell types. In addition, we observed cell type-specific effects. For example, genes and proteins involved in glutathione synthesis, such as the glutamate-cysteine ligase subunits GCLC and GCLM, were downregulated specifically in lymphoblastoid cells. We provide a web application that enables access to all results generated in this study at https://apps.embl.de/ngly1browser. This resource will guide future studies of NGLY1 deficiency in directions that are most relevant to patients.

Discovery and Characterisation of Highly Cooperative FAK-Degrading PROTACs

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a key mediator of tumour progression and metastasis. To date, clinical trials of FAK inhibitors have reported disappointing efficacy for oncology indications. We report the design and characterisation of GSK215, a potent, selective, FAK-degrading Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) based on a binder for the VHL E3 ligase and the known FAK inhibitor VS-4718. X-ray crystallography revealed the molecular basis of the highly cooperative FAK-GSK215-VHL ternary complex, and GSK215 showed differentiated in-vitro pharmacology compared to VS-4718. In mice, a single dose of GSK215 induced rapid and prolonged FAK degradation, giving a long-lasting effect on FAK levels (≈96 h) and a marked PK/PD disconnect. This tool PROTAC molecule is expected to be useful for the study of FAK-degradation biology in vivo, and our results indicate that FAK degradation may be a differentiated clinical strategy versus FAK inhibition for the treatment of cancer.

Discovery of a first-in-class reversible DNMT1-selective inhibitor with improved tolerability and efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia

DNA methylation, a key epigenetic driver of transcriptional silencing, is universally dysregulated in cancer. Reversal of DNA methylation by hypomethylating agents, such as the cytidine analogs decitabine or azacytidine, has demonstrated clinical benefit in hematologic malignancies. These nucleoside analogs are incorporated into replicating DNA where they inhibit DNA cytosine methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B through irreversible covalent interactions. These agents induce notable toxicity to normal blood cells thus limiting their clinical doses. Herein we report the discovery of GSK3685032, a potent first-in-class DNMT1-selective inhibitor that was shown via crystallographic studies to compete with the active-site loop of DNMT1 for penetration into hemi-methylated DNA between two CpG base pairs. GSK3685032 induces robust loss of DNA methylation, transcriptional activation and cancer cell growth inhibition in vitro. Due to improved in vivo tolerability compared with decitabine, GSK3685032 yields superior tumor regression and survival mouse models of acute myeloid leukemia.

A Bayesian semi-parametric model for thermal proteome profiling

The thermal stability of proteins can be altered when they interact with small molecules, other biomolecules or are subject to post-translation modifications. Thus monitoring the thermal stability of proteins under various cellular perturbations can provide insights into protein function, as well as potentially determine drug targets and off-targets. Thermal proteome profiling is a highly multiplexed mass-spectrommetry method for monitoring the melting behaviour of thousands of proteins in a single experiment. In essence, thermal proteome profiling assumes that proteins denature upon heating and hence become insoluble. Thus, by tracking the relative solubility of proteins at sequentially increasing temperatures, one can report on the thermal stability of a protein. Standard thermodynamics predicts a sigmoidal relationship between temperature and relative solubility and this is the basis of current robust statistical procedures. However, current methods do not model deviations from this behaviour and they do not quantify uncertainty in the melting profiles. To overcome these challenges, we propose the application of Bayesian functional data analysis tools which allow complex temperature-solubility behaviours. Our methods have improved sensitivity over the state-of-the art, identify new drug-protein associations and have less restrictive assumptions than current approaches. Our methods allows for comprehensive analysis of proteins that deviate from the predicted sigmoid behaviour and we uncover potentially biphasic phenomena with a series of published datasets.

CDK12 inhibition reduces abnormalities in cells from patients with myotonic dystrophy and in a mouse model

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an RNA-based disease with no current treatment. It is caused by a transcribed CTG repeat expansion within the 3' untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene. Mutant repeat expansion transcripts remain in the nuclei of patients' cells, forming distinct microscopically detectable foci that contribute substantially to the pathophysiology of the condition. Here, we report small-molecule inhibitors that remove nuclear foci and have beneficial effects in the HSA^LR mouse model, reducing transgene expression, leading to improvements in myotonia, splicing, and centralized nuclei. Using chemoproteomics in combination with cell-based assays, we identify cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) as a druggable target for this condition. CDK12 is a protein elevated in DM1 cell lines and patient muscle biopsies, and our results showed that its inhibition led to reduced expression of repeat expansion RNA. Some of the inhibitors identified in this study are currently the subject of clinical trials for other indications and provide valuable starting points for a drug development program in DM1.

Affinity Enrichment Chemoproteomics for Target Deconvolution and Selectivity Profiling

In order to understand the full mechanism of action of candidate drug molecules, it is critical to thoroughly characterize their interactions with endogenously expressed pharmacological targets and potentially undesired off-targets. Here we describe a chemoproteomics approach that is based on functionalized analogs of the compound of interest to affinity enrich target proteins from cell or tissue extracts. Experiments are designed as competition binding assays where free parental compound is spiked at a range of concentrations into the extracts to compete specific binders off the immobilized compound matrix. Quantification of matrix-bound proteins enables generation of dose-response curves and half-binding concentrations. In addition, the influence of the affinity matrix on the equilibrium is determined in rebinding experiments. TMT10 isobaric mass tags enable analyzing repeat binding and dose-dependent competition samples in a single mass spectrometry analysis run, thus enabling the efficient identification of targets, apparent dissociation constants, and selectivity of small molecules in a single experiment. The workflow is exemplified with the kinase inhibitor sunitinib.

BRD4 methylation by the methyltransferase SETD6 regulates selective transcription to control mRNA translation

The transcriptional coactivator BRD4 has a fundamental role in transcription regulation and thus became a promising epigenetic therapeutic candidate to target diverse pathologies. However, the regulation of BRD4 by posttranslational modifications has been largely unexplored. Here, we show that BRD4 is methylated on chromatin at lysine-99 by the protein lysine methyltransferase SETD6. BRD4 methylation negatively regulates the expression of genes that are involved in translation and inhibits total mRNA translation in cells. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that supports a model where BRD4 methylation by SETD6 does not have a direct role in the association with acetylated histone H4 at chromatin. However, this methylation specifically determines the recruitment of the transcription factor E2F1 to selected target genes that are involved in mRNA translation. Together, our findings reveal a previously unknown molecular mechanism for BRD4 methylation-dependent gene-specific targeting, which may serve as a new direction for the development of therapeutic applications.

SARS-CoV-2 drives JAK1/2-dependent local complement hyperactivation

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present a wide range of acute clinical manifestations affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys and gut. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2, the best-characterized entry receptor for the disease-causing virus SARS-CoV-2, is highly expressed in the aforementioned tissues. However, the pathways that underlie the disease are still poorly understood. Here, we unexpectedly found that the complement system was one of the intracellular pathways most highly induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung epithelial cells. Infection of respiratory epithelial cells with SARS-CoV-2 generated activated complement component C3a and could be blocked by a cell-permeable inhibitor of complement factor B (CFBi), indicating the presence of an inducible cell-intrinsic C3 convertase in respiratory epithelial cells. Within cells of the bronchoalveolar lavage of patients, distinct signatures of complement activation in myeloid, lymphoid and epithelial cells tracked with disease severity. Genes induced by SARS-CoV-2 and the drugs that could normalize these genes both implicated the interferon-JAK1/2-STAT1 signaling system and NF-B as the main drivers of their expression. Ruxolitinib, a JAK1/2 inhibitor, normalized interferon signature genes and all complement gene transcripts induced by SARS-CoV-2 in lung epithelial cell lines, but did not affect NF-B-regulated genes. Ruxolitinib, alone or in combination with the antiviral remdesivir, inhibited C3a protein produced by infected cells. Together, we postulate that combination therapy with JAK inhibitors and drugs that normalize NF-B-signaling could potentially have clinical application for severe COVID-19.

Ca2+ signals critical for egress and gametogenesis in malaria parasites depend on a multipass membrane protein that interacts with PKG

Calcium signaling regulated by the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) controls key life cycle transitions in the malaria parasite. However, how calcium is mobilized from intracellular stores in the absence of canonical calcium channels in Plasmodium is unknown. Here, we identify a multipass membrane protein, ICM1, with homology to transporters and calcium channels that is tightly associated with PKG in both asexual blood stages and transmission stages. Phosphoproteomic analyses reveal multiple ICM1 phosphorylation events dependent on PKG activity. Stage-specific depletion of Plasmodium berghei ICM1 prevents gametogenesis due to a block in intracellular calcium mobilization, while conditional loss of Plasmodium falciparum ICM1 is detrimental for the parasite resulting in severely reduced calcium mobilization, defective egress, and lack of invasion. Our findings suggest that ICM1 is a key missing link in transducing PKG-dependent signals and provide previously unknown insights into atypical calcium homeostasis in malaria parasites essential for pathology and disease transmission.

Improved Proteomics-Based Drug Mechanism-of-Action Studies Using 16-Plex Isobaric Mass Tags

Multiplexed quantitative proteomics enabled complex workflows to study the mechanisms by which small molecule drugs interact with the proteome such as thermal proteome profiling (TPP) or multiplexed proteome dynamics profiling (mPDP). TPP measures changes in protein thermal stability in response to drug treatment and thus informs on direct targets and downstream regulation events, while the mPDP approach enables the discovery of regulated protein synthesis and degradation events caused by small molecules and other perturbations. The isobaric mass tags available for multiplexed proteomics have thus far limited the efficiency and sensitivity by which such experiments could be performed. Here we evaluate a recent generation of 16-plex isobaric mass tags and demonstrate the sensitive and time efficient identification of Staurosporine targets in HepG2 cell extracts by recording full thermal denaturation/aggregation profiles of vehicle and compound treated samples in a single mass spectrometry experiment. In 2D-TPP experiments, isothermal titration over seven concentrations per temperature enabled comprehensive selectivity profiling of Staurosporine with EC₅₀ values for kinase targets tightly matching to the kinobeads gold standard assay. Finally, we demonstrate time and condition-based multiplexing of dynamic SILAC labeling experiments to delineate proteome-wide effects of the molecular glue Indisulam on synthesis and degradation rates.

A computational method for detection of ligand-binding proteins from dose range thermal proteome profiles

Detecting ligand-protein interactions in living cells is a fundamental challenge in molecular biology and drug research. Proteome-wide profiling of thermal stability as a function of ligand concentration promises to tackle this challenge. However, current data analysis strategies use preset thresholds that can lead to suboptimal sensitivity/specificity tradeoffs and limited comparability across datasets. Here, we present a method based on statistical hypothesis testing on curves, which provides control of the false discovery rate. We apply it to several datasets probing epigenetic drugs and a metabolite. This leads us to detect off-target drug engagement, including the finding that the HDAC8 inhibitor PCI-34051 and its analog BRD-3811 bind to and inhibit leucine aminopeptidase 3. An implementation is available as an R package from Bioconductor (https://bioconductor.org/packages/TPP2D). We hope that our method will facilitate prioritizing targets from thermal profiling experiments.

2D-thermal proteome profiling (2D-TPP) is a powerful assay for probing interactions of proteins with small molecules in their native context. Here the authors provide a statistical method for false discovery rate controlled analysis for 2D-TPP applications.

Loss of N-Glycanase 1 Alters Transcriptional and Translational Regulation in K562 Cell Lines

N-Glycanase 1 (NGLY1) deficiency is an ultra-rare, complex and devastating neuromuscular disease. Patients display multi-organ symptoms including developmental delays, movement disorders, seizures, constipation and lack of tear production. NGLY1 is a deglycosylating protein involved in the degradation of misfolded proteins retrotranslocated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). NGLY1-deficient cells have been reported to exhibit decreased deglycosylation activity and an increased sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors. We show that the loss of NGLY1 causes substantial changes in the RNA and protein landscape of K562 cells and results in downregulation of proteasomal subunits, consistent with its processing of the transcription factor NFE2L1. We employed the CMap database to predict compounds that can modulate NGLY1 activity. Utilizing our robust K562 screening system, we demonstrate that the compound NVP-BEZ235 (Dactosilib) promotes degradation of NGLY1-dependent substrates, concurrent with increased autophagic flux, suggesting that stimulating autophagy may assist in clearing aberrant substrates during NGLY1 deficiency.

Selective targeting of BD1 and BD2 of the BET proteins in cancer and immunoinflammation

The two tandem bromodomains of the BET (bromodomain and extraterminal domain) proteins enable chromatin binding to facilitate transcription. Drugs that inhibit both bromodomains equally have shown efficacy in certain malignant and inflammatory conditions. To explore the individual functional contributions of the first (BD1) and second (BD2) bromodomains in biology and therapy, we developed selective BD1 and BD2 inhibitors. We found that steady-state gene expression primarily requires BD1, whereas the rapid increase of gene expression induced by inflammatory stimuli requires both BD1 and BD2 of all BET proteins. BD1 inhibitors phenocopied the effects of pan-BET inhibitors in cancer models, whereas BD2 inhibitors were predominantly effective in models of inflammatory and autoimmune disease. These insights into the differential requirement of BD1 and BD2 for the maintenance and induction of gene expression may guide future BET-targeted therapies.

Meltome atlas-thermal proteome stability across the tree of life

We have used a mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach to compile an atlas of the thermal stability of 48,000 proteins across 13 species ranging from archaea to humans and covering melting temperatures of 30-90 °C. Protein sequence, composition and size affect thermal stability in prokaryotes and eukaryotic proteins show a nonlinear relationship between the degree of disordered protein structure and thermal stability. The data indicate that evolutionary conservation of protein complexes is reflected by similar thermal stability of their proteins, and we show examples in which genomic alterations can affect thermal stability. Proteins of the respiratory chain were found to be very stable in many organisms, and human mitochondria showed close to normal respiration at 46 °C. We also noted cell-type-specific effects that can affect protein stability or the efficacy of drugs. This meltome atlas broadly defines the proteome amenable to thermal profiling in biology and drug discovery and can be explored online at http://meltomeatlas.proteomics.wzw.tum.de:5003/ and http://www.proteomicsdb.org.

Extended pharmacodynamic responses observed upon PROTAC-mediated degradation of RIPK2

Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are heterobifunctional small-molecules that can promote the rapid and selective proteasome-mediated degradation of intracellular proteins through the recruitment of E3 ligase complexes to non-native protein substrates. The catalytic mechanism of action of PROTACs represents an exciting new modality in drug discovery that offers several potential advantages over traditional small-molecule inhibitors, including the potential to deliver pharmacodynamic (PD) efficacy which extends beyond the detectable pharmacokinetic (PK) presence of the PROTAC, driven by the synthesis rate of the protein. Herein we report the identification and development of PROTACs that selectively degrade Receptor-Interacting Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase 2 (RIPK2) and demonstrate in vivo degradation of endogenous RIPK2 in rats at low doses and extended PD that persists in the absence of detectable compound. This disconnect between PK and PD, when coupled with low nanomolar potency, offers the potential for low human doses and infrequent dosing regimens with PROTAC medicines.

Mares et al. develop Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) that degrade its target RIPK2 in vivo at low doses for a prolonged period of time. This study suggests that PROTAC has a therapeutic potential that is superior to traditional RIPK2 small-molecule inhibitors.

Nonparametric Analysis of Thermal Proteome Profiles Reveals Novel Drug-binding Proteins

Detecting the targets of drugs and other molecules in intact cellular contexts is a major objective in drug discovery and in biology more broadly. Thermal proteome profiling (TPP) pursues this aim at proteome-wide scale by inferring target engagement from its effects on temperature-dependent protein denaturation. However, a key challenge of TPP is the statistical analysis of the measured melting curves with controlled false discovery rates at high proteome coverage and detection power. We present nonparametric analysis of response curves (NPARC), a statistical method for TPP based on functional data analysis and nonlinear regression. We evaluate NPARC on five independent TPP data sets and observe that it is able to detect subtle changes in any region of the melting curves, reliably detects the known targets, and outperforms a melting point-centric, single-parameter fitting approach in terms of specificity and sensitivity. NPARC can be combined with established analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics and enables flexible, factorial experimental designs and replication levels. An open source software implementation of NPARC is provided.

Chemical proteomics reveals target selectivity of clinical Jak inhibitors in human primary cells

Kinobeads are a set of promiscuous kinase inhibitors immobilized on sepharose beads for the comprehensive enrichment of endogenously expressed protein kinases from cell lines and tissues. These beads enable chemoproteomics profiling of kinase inhibitors of interest in dose-dependent competition studies in combination with quantitative mass spectrometry. We present improved bead matrices that capture more than 350 protein kinases and 15 lipid kinases from human cell lysates, respectively. A multiplexing strategy is suggested that enables determination of apparent dissociation constants in a single mass spectrometry experiment. Miniaturization of the procedure enabled determining the target selectivity of the clinical BCR-ABL inhibitor dasatinib in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) lysates from individual donors. Profiling of a set of Jak kinase inhibitors revealed kinase off-targets from nearly all kinase families underpinning the need to profile kinase inhibitors against the kinome. Potently bound off-targets of clinical inhibitors suggest polypharmacology, e.g. through MRCK alpha and beta, which bind to decernotinib with nanomolar affinity.

Author Correction: Design of amidobenzimidazole STING receptor agonists with systemic activity

Change history: In this Letter, author Ana Puhl was inadvertently omitted; this error has been corrected online.An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Discovery of GSK8612, a Highly Selective and Potent TBK1 Inhibitor

The serine/threonine protein kinase TBK1 (Tank-binding Kinase-1) is a noncanonical member of the IkB kinase (IKK) family. This kinase regulates signaling pathways in innate immunity, oncogenesis, energy homeostasis, autophagy, and neuroinflammation. Herein, we report the discovery and characterization of a novel potent and highly selective TBK1 inhibitor, GSK8612. In cellular assays, this small molecule inhibited toll-like receptor (TLR)3-induced interferon regulatory factor (IRF)3 phosphorylation in Ramos cells and type I interferon (IFN) secretion in primary human mononuclear cells. In THP1 cells, GSK8612 was able to inhibit secretion of interferon beta (IFNβ) in response to dsDNA and cGAMP, the natural ligand for STING. GSK8612 is a TBK1 small molecule inhibitor displaying an excellent selectivity profile and therefore represents an ideal probe to further dissect the biology of TBK1 in models of immunity, neuroinflammation, obesity, or cancer.

Advanced proteomics approaches to unravel protein homeostasis

Quantitative proteomics methods are instrumental in measuring the interplay between protein synthesis and protein degradation in cells and tissues in different conditions and substantially contribute to the understanding of control mechanisms for protein homeostasis. Proteomics and chemoproteomics approaches enable the characterization of small molecule modifiers of protein degradation for therapeutic applications. Here, we review recent developments and applications of mass spectrometry-based (chemo-)proteomics methods for the study of cellular homeostasis.

PROTAC-Mediated Degradation of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Is Inhibited by Covalent Binding

The impact of covalent binding on PROTAC-mediated degradation of BTK was investigated through the preparation of both covalent binding and reversible binding PROTACs derived from the covalent BTK inhibitor ibrutinib. It was determined that a covalent binding PROTAC inhibited BTK degradation despite evidence of target engagement, while BTK degradation was observed with a reversible binding PROTAC. These observations were consistently found when PROTACs that were able to recruit either IAP or cereblon E3 ligases were employed. Proteomics analysis determined that the use of a covalently bound PROTAC did not result in the degradation of covalently bound targets, while degradation was observed for some reversibly bound targets. This observation highlights the importance of catalysis for successful PROTAC-mediated degradation and highlights a potential caveat for the use of covalent target binders in PROTAC design.

Proteome-wide solubility and thermal stability profiling reveals distinct regulatory roles for ATP

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plays fundamental roles in cellular biochemistry and was recently discovered to function as a biological hydrotrope. Here, we use mass spectrometry to interrogate ATP-mediated regulation of protein thermal stability and protein solubility on a proteome-wide scale. Thermal proteome profiling reveals high affinity interactions of ATP as a substrate and as an allosteric modulator that has widespread influence on protein complexes and their stability. Further, we develop a strategy for proteome-wide solubility profiling, and discover ATP-dependent solubilization of at least 25% of the insoluble proteome. ATP increases the solubility of positively charged, intrinsically disordered proteins, and their susceptibility for solubilization varies depending on their localization to different membrane-less organelles. Moreover, a few proteins, exhibit an ATP-dependent decrease in solubility, likely reflecting polymer formation. Our data provides a proteome-wide, quantitative insight into how ATP influences protein structure and solubility across the spectrum of physiologically relevant concentrations.

ATP can function as a biological hydrotrope, but its global effects on protein solubility have not yet been characterized. Here, the authors quantify the effect of ATP on the thermal stability and solubility of the cellular proteome, providing insights into protein solubility regulation by ATP.

Multiplexed Proteome Dynamics Profiling Reveals Mechanisms Controlling Protein Homeostasis

Protein degradation plays important roles in biological processes and is tightly regulated. Further, targeted proteolysis is an emerging research tool and therapeutic strategy. However, proteome-wide technologies to investigate the causes and consequences of protein degradation in biological systems are lacking. We developed “multiplexed proteome dynamics profiling” (mPDP), a mass-spectrometry-based approach combining dynamic-SILAC labeling with isobaric mass tagging for multiplexed analysis of protein degradation and synthesis. In three proof-of-concept studies, we uncover different responses induced by the bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 versus a JQ1 proteolysis targeting chimera; we elucidate distinct modes of action of estrogen receptor modulators; and we comprehensively classify HSP90 clients based on their requirement for HSP90 constitutively or during synthesis, demonstrating that constitutive HSP90 clients have lower thermal stability than non-clients, have higher affinity for the chaperone, vary between cell types, and change upon external stimuli. These findings highlight the potential of mPDP to identify dynamically controlled degradation mechanisms in cellular systems.

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Multiplexed proteome dynamics profiling, mPDP, measures changes in proteostasis

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JQ1-PROTAC degrades a key mRNA export factor and blocks protein synthesis

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Raloxifene induces TMEM97 degradation dysregulating cholesterol homeostasis

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Characterization of proteins dependent on HSP90 constitutively or during synthesis

Antimalarial efficacy of MMV390048, an inhibitor of Plasmodium phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase

As part of the global effort toward malaria eradication, phenotypic whole-cell screening revealed the 2-aminopyridine class of small molecules as a good starting point to develop new antimalarial drugs. Stemming from this series, we found that the derivative, MMV390048, lacked cross-resistance with current drugs used to treat malaria. This compound was efficacious against all Plasmodium life cycle stages, apart from late hypnozoites in the liver. Efficacy was shown in the humanized Plasmodium falciparum mouse model, and modest reductions in mouse-to-mouse transmission were achieved in the Plasmodium berghei mouse model. Experiments in monkeys revealed the ability of MMV390048 to be used for full chemoprotection. Although MMV390048 was not able to eliminate liver hypnozoites, it delayed relapse in a Plasmodium cynomolgi monkey model. Both genomic and chemoproteomic studies identified a kinase of the Plasmodium parasite, phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, as the molecular target of MMV390048. The ability of MMV390048 to block all life cycle stages of the malaria parasite suggests that this compound should be further developed and may contribute to malaria control and eradication as part of a single-dose combination treatment.

Drug-perturbation-based stratification of blood cancer

As new generations of targeted therapies emerge and tumor genome sequencing discovers increasingly comprehensive mutation repertoires, the functional relationships of mutations to tumor phenotypes remain largely unknown. Here, we measured ex vivo sensitivity of 246 blood cancers to 63 drugs alongside genome, transcriptome, and DNA methylome analysis to understand determinants of drug response. We assembled a primary blood cancer cell encyclopedia data set that revealed disease-specific sensitivities for each cancer. Within chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), responses to 62% of drugs were associated with 2 or more mutations, and linked the B cell receptor (BCR) pathway to trisomy 12, an important driver of CLL. Based on drug responses, the disease could be organized into phenotypic subgroups characterized by exploitable dependencies on BCR, mTOR, or MEK signaling and associated with mutations, gene expression, and DNA methylation. Fourteen percent of CLLs were driven by mTOR signaling in a non-BCR-dependent manner. Multivariate modeling revealed immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV) mutation status and trisomy 12 as the most important modulators of response to kinase inhibitors in CLL. Ex vivo drug responses were associated with outcome. This study overcomes the perception that most mutations do not influence drug response of cancer, and points to an updated approach to understanding tumor biology, with implications for biomarker discovery and cancer care.

Differential Kinobeads Profiling for Target Identification of Irreversible Kinase Inhibitors

Chemoproteomics profiling of kinase inhibitors with kinobeads enables the assessment of inhibitor potency and selectivity for endogenously expressed protein kinases in cell lines and tissues. Using a small panel of targeted covalent inhibitors, we demonstrate the importance of measuring covalent target binding in live cells. We present a differential kinobeads profiling strategy for covalent kinase inhibitors where a compound is added either to live cells or to a cell extract that enables the comprehensive assessment of inhibitor selectivity for covalent and noncovalent targets. We found that Acalabrutinib, CC-292, and Ibrutinib potently and covalently bind TEC family kinases, but only Ibrutinib also potently binds to BLK. ZAK was identified as a submicromolar affinity Ibrutinib off-target due to covalent modification of Cys22. In contrast to Ibrutinib, 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol reacted with Cys150 next to the DFG loop, demonstrating an alternative route to covalent inactivation of this kinase, e.g., to inhibit canonical TGF-β dependent processes.

Activation of the Amino Acid Response Pathway Blunts the Effects of Cardiac Stress

BACKGROUND

The amino acid response (AAR) is an evolutionarily conserved protective mechanism activated by amino acid deficiency through a key kinase, general control nonderepressible 2. In addition to mobilizing amino acids, the AAR broadly affects gene and protein expression in a variety of pathways and elicits antifibrotic, autophagic, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known regarding its role in cardiac stress. Our aim was to investigate the effects of halofuginone, a prolyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor, on the AAR pathway in cardiac fibroblasts, cardiomyocytes, and in mouse models of cardiac stress and failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consistent with its ability to inhibit prolyl-tRNA synthetase, halofuginone elicited a general control nonderepressible 2-dependent activation of the AAR pathway in cardiac fibroblasts as evidenced by activation of known AAR target genes, broad regulation of the transcriptome and proteome, and reversal by l-proline supplementation. Halofuginone was examined in 3 mouse models of cardiac stress: angiotensin II/phenylephrine, transverse aortic constriction, and acute ischemia reperfusion injury. It activated the AAR pathway in the heart, improved survival, pulmonary congestion, left ventricle remodeling/fibrosis, and left ventricular function, and rescued ischemic myocardium. In human cardiac fibroblasts, halofuginone profoundly reduced collagen deposition in a general control nonderepressible 2-dependent manner and suppressed the extracellular matrix proteome. In human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, halofuginone blocked gene expression associated with endothelin-1-mediated activation of pathologic hypertrophy and restored autophagy in a general control nonderepressible 2/eIF2α-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Halofuginone activated the AAR pathway in the heart and attenuated the structural and functional effects of cardiac stress.

Monitoring Cell-surface N-Glycoproteome Dynamics by Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Mechanistic Insights into Macrophage Differentiation

The plasma membrane proteome plays a crucial role in inter- and intracellular signaling, cell survival, and cell identity. As such, it is a prominent target for pharmacological intervention. The relatively low abundance of this subproteome in conjunction with challenging extractability and solubility still hampers its comprehensive analysis. Here, we combined a chemical glycoprotein-tagging strategy with mass spectrometry to enable comprehensive analysis of the cell-surface glycoproteome. To benchmark this workflow and to provide guidance for cell line selection for functional experiments, we generated an inventory of the N-linked cell-surface glycoproteomes of 15 standard laboratory human cell lines and three primary lymphocytic cell types. On average, about 900 plasma membrane and secreted proteins were identified per experiment, including more than 300 transporters and ion channels. Primary cells displayed distinct expression of surface markers and transporters underpinning the importance of carefully validating model cell lines selected for the study of cell surface-mediated processes. To monitor dynamic changes of the cell-surface proteome in a highly multiplexed experiment, we employed an isobaric mass tag-based chemical labeling strategy. This enabled the time-resolved analysis of plasma membrane protein presentation during differentiation of the monocytic suspension cell line THP-1 into macrophage-like adherent cells. Time-dependent changes observed in membrane protein presentation reflect functional remodeling during the phenotypic transition in three distinct phases: rapid surface presentation and secretion of proteins from intracellular pools concurrent with rapid internalization of no longer needed proteins and finally delayed presentation of newly synthesized macrophage markers. Perturbation of this process using marketed receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors revealed dasatinib to severely compromise macrophage differentiation due to an off-target activity. This finding suggests that dynamic processes can be highly vulnerable to drug treatment and should be monitored more rigorously to identify adverse drug effects.

Abstract S4-03: Targeted and selective degradation of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha by PROTACs

ERα-positive breast cancers comprise approximately 80% of all newly diagnosed cases. Current treatment approaches targeting ER signaling include antagonizing and/or downregulating ER or reducing estrogen levels. Faslodex (fulvestrant) is the only clinically-approved agent that is both a potent ER antagonist and downregulator but has limitations given its pharmacokinetics and route of administration. Over the past several years, targeted ER therapies have focused on developing selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs, i.e, GDC-0810, GDC-0927, AZD9496, RAD1901). The mechanisms involved in ER downregulation by SERD binding are not completely understood, but evidence suggests that conformational changes in the receptor upon ligand binding combined with specific co-regulator interactions destabilize the receptor making it a target for passive proteasomal degradation. We hypothesized that the complex ER pharmacology required for SERD-based passive degradation might be different across various ER-positive cell lines and that targeted degradation of the receptor by actively recruiting the ubiquitin-proteasome machinery would provide a better approach for reducing ER levels. To test this hypothesis, we developed potent molecules directed against ER using our pioneering technology—proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). PROTACs are heterobifunctional molecules that actively recruit specific E3 ligases resulting in ubiquitylation and degradation of target proteins. When testing for ER degradation using several SERDs and ER PROTACs, we discovered that both fulvestrant and ER PROTACs provided robust degradation in all ER-positive lines (<1 nM 50% degradation; >90% reduction) whereas other SERDs did not degrade or only modestly degraded the receptor. Importantly, MCF-7 cells were uniquely sensitive to SERD-based degradation of ER compared to other cell lines. Subcutaneous administration of fulvestrant (1mpk) or ER PROTACs (10 mpk) reduced uterine ER alpha levels in immature rats (>65% reduction). PROTAC-mediated degradation of ER was also achieved in breast cancer xenografts. To further validate the PROTAC mechanism, incubation of ER-positive cells with ER PROTACs resulted in increased levels of poly-ubiquitylated ERα when compared to SERDs. Lastly, to demonstrate the specificity of PROTAC-mediated ERα degradation, we utilized a cellular expression proteomics-based approach to examine over 7,000 proteins. In this experiment, only ERα and several known proteins whose genes are regulated by ERα, were significantly reduced by PROTACs. It remains to be seen how the current class of investigational downregulators will perform in the clinic. More importantly, a better understanding of the therapeutic potential and benefit of degrading the receptor instead of inhibiting the receptor needs to be explored. To that end, we continue to develop and characterize novel ER PROTACs with the anticipation that targeted ERα degradation will provide a greater clinical benefit than receptor antagonism.

Citation Format: Flanagan JJ, Rossi AK, Anderoli M, Willard RR, Gordon D, Harling J, Churcher I, Smith I, Zinn N, Bantscheff M, Crews CM, Crew A, Coleman KG, Winkler JD, Qian Y. Targeted and selective degradation of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha by PROTACs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr S4-03.

Potent and selective chemical probe of hypoxic signalling downstream of HIF-α hydroxylation via VHL inhibition

Chemical strategies to using small molecules to stimulate hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) activity and trigger a hypoxic response under normoxic conditions, such as iron chelators and inhibitors of prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes, have broad-spectrum activities and off-target effects. Here we disclose VH298, a potent VHL inhibitor that stabilizes HIF-α and elicits a hypoxic response via a different mechanism, that is the blockade of the VHL:HIF-α protein–protein interaction downstream of HIF-α hydroxylation by PHD enzymes. We show that VH298 engages with high affinity and specificity with VHL as its only major cellular target, leading to selective on-target accumulation of hydroxylated HIF-α in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion in different cell lines, with subsequent upregulation of HIF-target genes at both mRNA and protein levels. VH298 represents a high-quality chemical probe of the HIF signalling cascade and an attractive starting point to the development of potential new therapeutics targeting hypoxia signalling.

Small molecule probes used to trigger hypoxic response by activating hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) often lack specificity. Here the authors report a potent small molecule inhibitor that induces hypoxic response by blocking VHL:HIF interactions, providing a selective route to probe hypoxic signalling.

A Modular Probe Strategy for Drug Localization, Target Identification and Target Occupancy Measurement on Single Cell Level

Late stage failures of candidate drug molecules are frequently caused by off-target effects or inefficient target engagement in vivo. In order to address these fundamental challenges in drug discovery, we developed a modular probe strategy based on bioorthogonal chemistry that enables the attachment of multiple reporters to the same probe in cell extracts and live cells. In a systematic evaluation, we identified the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction between trans-cyclooctene labeled probe molecules and tetrazine-tagged reporters to be the most efficient bioorthogonal reaction for this strategy. Bioorthogonal biotinylation of the probe allows the identification of drug targets in a chemoproteomics competition binding assay using quantitative mass spectrometry. Attachment of a fluorescent reporter enables monitoring of spatial localization of probes as well as drug-target colocalization studies. Finally, direct target occupancy of unlabeled drugs can be determined at single cell resolution by competitive binding with fluorescently labeled probe molecules. The feasibility of the modular probe strategy is demonstrated with noncovalent PARP inhibitors.

Identification of KasA as the cellular target of an anti-tubercular scaffold

Phenotypic screens for bactericidal compounds are starting to yield promising hits against tuberculosis. In this regard, whole-genome sequencing of spontaneous resistant mutants generated against an indazole sulfonamide (GSK3011724A) identifies several specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the essential Mycobacterium tuberculosis β-ketoacyl synthase (kas) A gene. Here, this genomic-based target assignment is confirmed by biochemical assays, chemical proteomics and structural resolution of a KasA-GSK3011724A complex by X-ray crystallography. Finally, M. tuberculosis GSK3011724A-resistant mutants increase the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration and the in vivo 99% effective dose in mice, establishing in vitro and in vivo target engagement. Surprisingly, the lack of target engagement of the related β-ketoacyl synthases (FabH and KasB) suggests a different mode of inhibition when compared with other Kas inhibitors of fatty acid biosynthesis in bacteria. These results clearly identify KasA as the biological target of GSK3011724A and validate this enzyme for further drug discovery efforts against tuberculosis.

Screens for bactericidal compounds have resulted in promising anti-tubercular hits. Here, the authors analyse in detail the target of an indazole sulfonamide (GSK3011724A), and find that it has a different mode of inhibition compared to other Kas inhibitors of fatty acid biosynthesis in bacteria.

Interrogating the Druggability of the 2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase Target Class by Chemical Proteomics

The 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase target class comprises around 60 enzymes including several subfamilies with relevance to human disease, such as the prolyl hydroxylases and the Jumonji-type lysine demethylases. Current drug discovery approaches are largely based on small molecule inhibitors targeting the iron/2-oxoglutarate cofactor binding site. We have devised a chemoproteomics approach based on a combination of unselective active-site ligands tethered to beads, enabling affinity capturing of around 40 different dioxygenase enzymes from human cells. Mass-spectrometry-based quantification of bead-bound enzymes using a free-ligand competition-binding format enabled the comprehensive determination of affinities for the cosubstrate 2-oxoglutarate and for oncometabolites such as 2-hydroxyglutarate. We also profiled a set of representative drug-like inhibitor compounds. The results indicate that intracellular competition by endogenous cofactors and high active site similarity present substantial challenges for drug discovery for this target class.

Chemical Proteomics Reveals Ferrochelatase as a Common Off-target of Kinase Inhibitors

Many protein kinases are valid drug targets in oncology because they are key components of signal transduction pathways. The number of clinical kinase inhibitors is on the rise, but these molecules often exhibit polypharmacology, potentially eliciting desired and toxic effects. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of a compound's target space is desirable for a better understanding of its biological effects. The enzyme ferrochelatase (FECH) catalyzes the conversion of protoporphyrin IX into heme and was recently found to be an off-target of the BRAF inhibitor Vemurafenib, likely explaining the phototoxicity associated with this drug in melanoma patients. This raises the question of whether FECH binding is a more general feature of kinase inhibitors. To address this, we applied a chemical proteomics approach using kinobeads to evaluate 226 clinical kinase inhibitors for their ability to bind FECH. Surprisingly, low or submicromolar FECH binding was detected for 29 of all compounds tested and isothermal dose response measurements confirmed target engagement in cells. We also show that Vemurafenib, Linsitinib, Neratinib, and MK-2461 reduce heme levels in K562 cells, verifying that drug binding leads to a loss of FECH activity. Further biochemical and docking experiments identified the protoporphyrin pocket in FECH as one major drug binding site. Since the genetic loss of FECH activity leads to photosensitivity in humans, our data strongly suggest that FECH inhibition by kinase inhibitors is the molecular mechanism triggering photosensitivity in patients. We therefore suggest that a FECH assay should generally be part of the preclinical molecular toxicology package for the development of kinase inhibitors.