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Graff J, Müller J, Sadurní A, Rubin M, Cuissa IAC, Keller C, Hartmann M, Singer S, Gertsch J, Altmann KH. The Evaluation of L-Tryptophan Derivatives as Inhibitors of the LType Amino Acid Transporter LAT1 (SLC7A5). ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200308. [PMID: 35895286 PMCID: PMC9545129 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A series of derivatives of the substrate amino acid l‐tryptophan have been investigated for inhibition of the L‐type amino acid transporter LAT1 (SLC7A5), which is an emerging target in anticancer drug discovery. Of the four isomeric 4‐, 5‐, 6‐, or 7‐benzyloxy‐l‐tryptophans, the 5‐substituted derivative was the most potent, with an IC50 of 19 μM for inhibition of [3H]‐l‐leucine uptake into HT‐29 human colon carcinoma cells. The replacement of the carboxy group in 5‐benzyloxy‐l‐tryptophan by a bioisosteric tetrazole moiety led to a complete loss in potency. Likewise, the corresponding tetrazolide derived from l‐tryptophan itself was found to be neither a substrate nor an inhibitor of the transporter. Increasing the steric bulk at the 5‐position, while reasonably well tolerated in some cases, did not result in an improvement in potency. At the same time, none of these derivatives was found to be a substrate for LAT1‐mediated transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Graff
- ETH Zurich: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, SWITZERLAND
| | - Jennifer Müller
- ETH Zürich: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Chenistry and Applied Biosciences, SWITZERLAND
| | - Anna Sadurní
- ETH Zürich: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, SWITZERLAND
| | - Matthias Rubin
- University of Bern: Universitat Bern, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, SWITZERLAND
| | | | - Claudia Keller
- ETH Zürich: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, SWITZERLAND
| | - Marco Hartmann
- ETH Zurich: Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, SWITZERLAND
| | - Simon Singer
- University of Bern: Universitat Bern, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, SWITZERLAND
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- University of Bern: Universitat Bern, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, SWITZERLAND
| | - Karl-Heinz Altmann
- ETH Zurich, Deptm. of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1- 5/10, 8093, Zurich, SWITZERLAND
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2
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Affiliation(s)
- Sambasivarao Kotha
- Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai Mumbai 400 076 India
| | | | - Yellaiah Tangella
- Department of Chemistry Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai Mumbai 400 076 India
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3
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Puris E, Gynther M, Auriola S, Huttunen KM. L-Type amino acid transporter 1 as a target for drug delivery. Pharm Res 2020; 37:88. [PMID: 32377929 PMCID: PMC7203094 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-02826-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Our growing understanding of membrane transporters and their substrate specificity has opened a new avenue in the field of targeted drug delivery. The L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) has been one of the most extensively investigated transporters for delivering drugs across biological barriers. The transporter is predominantly expressed in cerebral cortex, blood-brain barrier, blood-retina barrier, testis, placenta, bone marrow and several types of cancer. Its physiological function is to mediate Na+ and pH independent exchange of essential amino acids: leucine, phenylalanine, etc. Several drugs and prodrugs designed as LAT1 substrates have been developed to improve targeted delivery into the brain and cancer cells. Thus, the anti-parkinsonian drug, L-Dopa, the anti-cancer drug, melphalan and the anti-epileptic drug gabapentin, all used in clinical practice, utilize LAT1 to reach their target site. These examples provide supporting evidence for the utility of the LAT1-mediated targeted delivery of the (pro)drug. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in LAT1-mediated targeted drug delivery. In addition, the use of LAT1 is critically evaluated and limitations of the approach are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Puris
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Mikko Gynther
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Auriola
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kristiina M Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
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4
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Rigorous sampling of docking poses unveils binding hypothesis for the halogenated ligands of L-type Amino acid Transporter 1 (LAT1). Sci Rep 2019; 9:15061. [PMID: 31636293 PMCID: PMC6803698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51455-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
L-type Amino acid Transporter 1 (LAT1) plays a significant role in the growth and propagation of cancer cells by facilitating the cross-membrane transport of essential nutrients, and is an attractive drug target. Several halogen-containing L-phenylalanine-based ligands display high affinity and high selectivity for LAT1; nonetheless, their molecular mechanism of binding remains unclear. In this study, a combined in silico strategy consisting of homology modeling, molecular docking, and Quantum Mechanics-Molecular Mechanics (QM-MM) simulation was applied to elucidate the molecular basis of ligand binding in LAT1. First, a homology model of LAT1 based on the atomic structure of a prokaryotic homolog was constructed. Docking studies using a set of halogenated ligands allowed for deriving a binding hypothesis. Selected docking poses were subjected to QM-MM calculations to investigate the halogen interactions. Collectively, the results highlight the dual nature of the ligand-protein binding mode characterized by backbone hydrogen bond interactions of the amino acid moiety of the ligands and residues I63, S66, G67, F252, G255, as well as hydrophobic interactions of the ligand’s side chains with residues I139, I140, F252, G255, F402, W405. QM-MM optimizations indicated that the electrostatic interactions involving halogens contribute to the binding free energy. Importantly, our results are in good agreement with the recently unraveled cryo-Electron Microscopy structures of LAT1.
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Abdul Razzak R, Florence GJ, Gunn-Moore FJ. Approaches to CNS Drug Delivery with a Focus on Transporter-Mediated Transcytosis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3108. [PMID: 31242683 PMCID: PMC6627589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20123108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) conferred by brain barriers is a major obstacle in the development of effective neurotherapeutics. In this review, a classification of current approaches of clinical or investigational importance for the delivery of therapeutics to the CNS is presented. This classification includes the use of formulations administered systemically that can elicit transcytosis-mediated transport by interacting with transporters expressed by transvascular endothelial cells. Neurotherapeutics can also be delivered to the CNS by means of surgical intervention using specialized catheters or implantable reservoirs. Strategies for delivering drugs to the CNS have evolved tremendously during the last two decades, yet, some factors can affect the quality of data generated in preclinical investigation, which can hamper the extension of the applications of these strategies into clinically useful tools. Here, we disclose some of these factors and propose some solutions that may prove valuable at bridging the gap between preclinical findings and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Abdul Razzak
- Medical and Biological Sciences Building, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK.
- Biomedical Science Research Centre, Schools of Chemistry and Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK.
| | - Gordon J Florence
- Biomedical Science Research Centre, Schools of Chemistry and Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK.
| | - Frank J Gunn-Moore
- Medical and Biological Sciences Building, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK.
- Biomedical Science Research Centre, Schools of Chemistry and Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK.
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6
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Singh N, Scalise M, Galluccio M, Wieder M, Seidel T, Langer T, Indiveri C, Ecker GF. Discovery of Potent Inhibitors for the Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1) by Structure-Based Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010027. [PMID: 30577601 PMCID: PMC6337383 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The large neutral amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is a promising anticancer target that is required for the cellular uptake of essential amino acids that serve as building blocks for cancer growth and proliferation. Here, we report a structure-based approach to identify chemically diverse and potent inhibitors of LAT1. First, a homology model of LAT1 that is based on the atomic structures of the prokaryotic homologs was constructed. Molecular docking of nitrogen mustards (NMs) with a wide range of affinity allowed for deriving a common binding mode that could explain the structure−activity relationship pattern in NMs. Subsequently, validated binding hypotheses were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation, which allowed for extracting a set of dynamic pharmacophores. Finally, a library of ~1.1 million molecules was virtually screened against these pharmacophores, followed by docking. Biological testing of the 30 top-ranked hits revealed 13 actives, with the best compound showing an IC50 value in the sub-μM range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natesh Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
| | - Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department DiBEST, Unit of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
| | - Michele Galluccio
- Department DiBEST, Unit of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
| | - Marcus Wieder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
| | - Thomas Seidel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST, Unit of Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
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7
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Chien HC, Colas C, Finke K, Springer S, Stoner L, Zur AA, Venteicher B, Campbell J, Hall C, Flint A, Augustyn E, Hernandez C, Heeren N, Hansen L, Anthony A, Bauer J, Fotiadis D, Schlessinger A, Giacomini KM, Thomas AA. Reevaluating the Substrate Specificity of the L-Type Amino Acid Transporter (LAT1). J Med Chem 2018; 61:7358-7373. [PMID: 30048132 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1, SLC7A5) transports essential amino acids across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and into cancer cells. To utilize LAT1 for drug delivery, potent amino acid promoieties are desired, as prodrugs must compete with millimolar concentrations of endogenous amino acids. To better understand ligand-transporter interactions that could improve potency, we developed structural LAT1 models to guide the design of substituted analogues of phenylalanine and histidine. Furthermore, we evaluated the structure-activity relationship (SAR) for both enantiomers of naturally occurring LAT1 substrates. Analogues were tested in cis-inhibition and trans-stimulation cell assays to determine potency and uptake rate. Surprisingly, LAT1 can transport amino acid-like substrates with wide-ranging polarities including those containing ionizable substituents. Additionally, the rate of LAT1 transport was generally nonstereoselective even though enantiomers likely exhibit different binding modes. Our findings have broad implications to the development of new treatments for brain disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Chieh Chien
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences , University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco , California 94158 , United States
| | - Claire Colas
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York 10029 , United States
| | - Karissa Finke
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Seth Springer
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Laura Stoner
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Arik A Zur
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences , University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco , California 94158 , United States
| | - Brooklynn Venteicher
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Jerome Campbell
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Colton Hall
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Andrew Flint
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Evan Augustyn
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Christopher Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Nathan Heeren
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Logan Hansen
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Abby Anthony
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Justine Bauer
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, and Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure , University of Bern , 3012 Bern , Switzerland
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York 10029 , United States
| | - Kathleen M Giacomini
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences , University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco , California 94158 , United States
| | - Allen A Thomas
- Department of Chemistry , University of Nebraska at Kearney , Kearney , Nebraska 68849 , United States
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8
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Singh N, Ecker GF. Insights into the Structure, Function, and Ligand Discovery of the Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter 1, LAT1. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1278. [PMID: 29695141 PMCID: PMC5983779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The large neutral amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1, or SLC7A5) is a sodium- and pH-independent transporter, which supplies essential amino acids (e.g., leucine, phenylalanine) to cells. It plays an important role at the Blood⁻Brain Barrier (BBB) where it facilitates the transport of thyroid hormones, pharmaceuticals (e.g., l-DOPA, gabapentin), and metabolites into the brain. Moreover, its expression is highly upregulated in various types of human cancer that are characterized by an intense demand for amino acids for growth and proliferation. Therefore, LAT1 is believed to be an important drug target for cancer treatment. With the crystallization of the arginine/agmatine antiporter (AdiC) from Escherichia Coli, numerous homology models of LAT1 have been built to elucidate the substrate binding site, ligand⁻transporter interaction, and structure⁻function relationship. The use of these models in combination with molecular docking and experimental testing has identified novel chemotypes of ligands of LAT1. Here, we highlight the structure, function, transport mechanism, and homology modeling of LAT1. Additionally, results from structure⁻function studies performed on LAT1 are addressed, which have enhanced our knowledge of the mechanism of substrate binding and translocation. This is followed by a discussion on ligand- and structure-based approaches, with an emphasis on elucidating the molecular basis of LAT1 inhibition. Finally, we provide an exhaustive summary of different LAT1 inhibitors that have been identified so far, including the recently discovered irreversible covalent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natesh Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria.
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9
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Jin SE, Jin HE, Hong SS. Targeting L-type amino acid transporter 1 for anticancer therapy: clinical impact from diagnostics to therapeutics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2015; 19:1319-37. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2015.1044975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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10
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Zefirova ON, Zefirov NS. Targeted application of bridged fragments in the design of physiologically active compounds. Russ Chem Bull 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11172-013-0044-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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11
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Exploiting nutrient transporters at the blood-brain barrier to improve brain distribution of small molecules. Ther Deliv 2012; 1:775-84. [PMID: 22834013 DOI: 10.4155/tde.10.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major physiological barrier for drugs that target CNS receptors or enzymes. Several methods exist by which permeability to the CNS can be increased, one of which is using native nutrient transporters to carry these drugs through the endothelial cells of the BBB. In this review, we focus on work that characterizes the use of nutrient transporters of the BBB in delivering drugs to the CNS.
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