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Alboreggia G, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Muzzarelli K, Assar Z, Pellecchia M. Histidine-Covalent Stapled Alpha-Helical Peptides Targeting hMcl-1. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8172-8185. [PMID: 38695666 PMCID: PMC11129181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Several novel and effective cysteine targeting (Cys) covalent drugs are in clinical use. However, the target area containing a druggable Cys residue is limited. Therefore, methods for creating covalent drugs that target different residues are being looked for; examples of such ligands include those that target the residues lysine (Lys) and tyrosine (Tyr). Though the histidine (His) side chain is more frequently found in protein binding locations and has higher desirable nucleophilicity, surprisingly limited research has been done to specifically target this residue, and there are not many examples of His-targeting ligands that have been rationally designed. In the current work, we created novel stapled peptides that are intended to target hMcl-1 His 252 covalently. We describe the in vitro (biochemical, NMR, and X-ray) and cellular design and characterization of such agents. Our findings further suggest that the use of electrophiles to specifically target His residues is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alboreggia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Kendall Muzzarelli
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Zahra Assar
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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2
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De Mel S, Lee AR, Tan JHI, Tan RZY, Poon LM, Chan E, Lee J, Chee YL, Lakshminarasappa SR, Jaynes PW, Jeyasekharan AD. Targeting the DNA damage response in hematological malignancies. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1307839. [PMID: 38347838 PMCID: PMC10859481 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1307839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of the DNA damage response (DDR) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of many cancers. The dependency of certain cancers on DDR pathways has enabled exploitation of such through synthetically lethal relationships e.g., Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for BRCA deficient ovarian cancers. Though lagging behind that of solid cancers, DDR inhibitors (DDRi) are being clinically developed for haematological cancers. Furthermore, a high proliferative index characterize many such cancers, suggesting a rationale for combinatorial strategies targeting DDR and replicative stress. In this review, we summarize pre-clinical and clinical data on DDR inhibition in haematological malignancies and highlight distinct haematological cancer subtypes with activity of DDR agents as single agents or in combination with chemotherapeutics and targeted agents. We aim to provide a framework to guide the design of future clinical trials involving haematological cancers for this important class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay De Mel
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ainsley Ryan Lee
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joelle Hwee Inn Tan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rachel Zi Yi Tan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li Mei Poon
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Esther Chan
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joanne Lee
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yen Lin Chee
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Satish R. Lakshminarasappa
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrick William Jaynes
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anand D. Jeyasekharan
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Last but not least: BFL-1 as an emerging target for anti-cancer therapies. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1119-1128. [PMID: 35900226 PMCID: PMC9444066 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BFL-1 is an understudied pro-survival BCL-2 protein. The expression of BFL-1 is reported in many cancers, but it is yet to be clarified whether high transcript expression also always correlates with a pro-survival function. However, recent applications of BH3-mimetics for the treatment of blood cancers identified BFL-1 as a potential resistance factor in this type of cancer. Hence, understanding the role of BFL-1 in human cancers and how its up-regulation leads to therapy resistance has become an area of great clinical relevance. In addition, deletion of the murine homologue of BFL-1, called A1, in mice showed only minimal impacts on the well-being of these animals, suggesting drugs targeting BFL-1 would exhibit limited on-target toxicities. BFL-1 therefore represents a good clinical cancer target. Currently, no effective BFL-1 inhibitors exist, which is likely due to the underappreciation of BFL-1 as a potential target in the clinic and lack of understanding of the BFL-1 protein. In this review, the roles of BFL-1 in the development of different types of cancers and drug resistant mechanisms are discussed and some recent advances in the generation of BFL-1 inhibitors highlighted.
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4
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Zehnle PMA, Wu Y, Pommerening H, Erlacher M. Stayin‘ alive: BCL-2 proteins in the hematopoietic system. Exp Hematol 2022; 110:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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5
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Li X, Dou J, You Q, Jiang Z. Inhibitors of BCL2A1/Bfl-1 protein: Potential stock in cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113539. [PMID: 34034128 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The Bcl-2 family members rigorously regulate cell endogenous apoptosis, and targeting anti-apoptotic members is a hot topic in design of anti-cancer drugs. At present, FDA and EMA have approved Bcl-2 inhibitor Venetoclax (ABT-199) for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, inhibitors of anti-apoptotic protein BCL2A1/Bfl-1 have not been vigorously developed, and no molecule with ideal activity and selectivity has been found yet. Here we review the biological function and protein structure of Bfl-1, discuss the therapeutic potential and list the currently reported inhibitory peptides and small molecules. This will provide a reference for Bfl-1 targeting drug discovery in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Junwei Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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6
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Cohen DT, Wales TE, McHenry MW, Engen JR, Walensky LD. Site-Dependent Cysteine Lipidation Potentiates the Activation of Proapoptotic BAX. Cell Rep 2021; 30:3229-3239.e6. [PMID: 32160532 PMCID: PMC7343539 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BCL-2 family proteins converge at the mitochondrial outer membrane to regulate apoptosis and maintain the critical balance between cellular life and death. This physiologic process is essential to organism homeostasis and relies on protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions among BCL-2 family proteins in the mitochondrial lipid environment. Here, we find that trans-2-hexadecenal (t-2-hex), previously implicated in regulating BAX-mediated apoptosis, does so by direct covalent reaction with C126, which is located on the surface of BAX at the junction of its α5/α6 core hydrophobic hairpin. The application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, specialized t-2-hex-containing liposomes, and BAX mutational studies in mitochondria and cells reveals structure-function insights into the mechanism by which covalent lipidation at the mitochondria sensitizes direct BAX activation. The functional role of BAX lipidation as a control point of mitochondrial apoptosis could provide a therapeutic strategy for BAX modulation by chemical modification of C126. Cohen et al. show that trans-2-hexadecenal (t-2-hex) potentiates BAX-mediated apoptosis by non-enzymatic covalent lipidation of BAX C126. t-2-hex derivatization induces BAX-activating conformational changes and enhances BH3-triggered BAX poration of liposomal and mitochondrial membranes in a C126-dependent manner. This mechanism informs a therapeutic strategy for modulating BAX-mediated apoptosis by targeting C126.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Cohen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Thomas E Wales
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthew W McHenry
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - John R Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Loren D Walensky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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7
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Selective Covalent Targeting of Anti-apoptotic BFL-1 by a Sulfonium-Tethered Peptide. Chembiochem 2020; 22:340-344. [PMID: 32790056 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family proteins are proven targets for human cancers. Targeting the BH3-binding pockets of these anti-apoptotic proteins could reactivate apoptosis in BCL-2-depedent cancers. BFL-1 is a BCL-2 family protein overexpressed in various chemoresistant cancers. A unique cysteine at the binding interface of the BH3 and BFL-1 was previously proven to be an intriguing targeting site to irreversibly inhibit BFL-1 functions with stabilized cyclic peptide bearing a covalent warhead. Recently, we developed a sulfonium-tethered peptide cyclization strategy to construct peptide ligands that could selectively and efficiently react with the cysteine(s) of target proteins near the interacting interface. Using this method, we constructed a BFL-1 peptide inhibitor, B4-MC, that could selectively conjugate with BFL-1 both in vitro and in cell. B4-MC showed good cellular uptake, colocalized with BFL-1 on mitochondria, and showed obvious growth inhibition of BFL-1 over-expressed cancer cell lines.
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8
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A redox switch regulates the structure and function of anti-apoptotic BFL-1. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:781-789. [PMID: 32661419 PMCID: PMC7544158 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0458-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is regulated by BCL-2 family proteins. Anti-apoptotic members suppress cell death by deploying a surface groove to capture the critical BH3 α-helix of pro-apoptotic members. Cancer cells hijack this mechanism by overexpressing anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins to enforce cellular immortality. We previously identified and harnessed a unique cysteine (C55) in the groove of anti-apoptotic BFL-1 to selectively neutralize its oncogenic activity using a covalent stapled-peptide inhibitor. Here, we find that disulfide bonding between a native cysteine pair at the groove (C55) and C-terminal α9 helix (C175) of BFL-1 operates as a redox switch to control the accessibility of the anti-apoptotic pocket. Reducing the C55-C175 disulfide triggers α9 release, which promotes mitochondrial translocation, groove exposure for BH3 interaction and inhibition of mitochondrial permeabilization by pro-apoptotic BAX. C55-C175 disulfide formation in an oxidative cellular environment abrogates the ability of BFL-1 to bind BH3 domains. Thus, we identify a mechanism of conformational control of BFL-1 by an intramolecular redox switch.
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9
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Hauseman ZJ, Harvey EP, Newman CE, Wales TE, Bucci JC, Mintseris J, Schweppe DK, David L, Fan L, Cohen DT, Herce HD, Mourtada R, Ben-Nun Y, Bloch NB, Hansen SB, Wu H, Gygi SP, Engen JR, Walensky LD. Homogeneous Oligomers of Pro-apoptotic BAX Reveal Structural Determinants of Mitochondrial Membrane Permeabilization. Mol Cell 2020; 79:68-83.e7. [PMID: 32533918 PMCID: PMC7472837 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BAX is a pro-apoptotic protein that transforms from a cytosolic monomer into a toxic oligomer that permeabilizes the mitochondrial outer membrane. How BAX monomers assemble into a higher-order conformation, and the structural determinants essential to membrane permeabilization, remain a mechanistic mystery. A key hurdle has been the inability to generate a homogeneous BAX oligomer (BAXO) for analysis. Here, we report the production and characterization of a full-length BAXO that recapitulates physiologic BAX activation. Multidisciplinary studies revealed striking conformational consequences of oligomerization and insight into the macromolecular structure of oligomeric BAX. Importantly, BAXO enabled the assignment of specific roles to particular residues and α helices that mediate individual steps of the BAX activation pathway, including unexpected functionalities of BAX α6 and α9 in driving membrane disruption. Our results provide the first glimpse of a full-length and functional BAXO, revealing structural requirements for the elusive execution phase of mitochondrial apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Hauseman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Edward P Harvey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Catherine E Newman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Thomas E Wales
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joel C Bucci
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Julian Mintseris
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Devin K Schweppe
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Liron David
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lixin Fan
- Small Angle X-ray Scattering Core, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Daniel T Cohen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Henry D Herce
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rida Mourtada
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yael Ben-Nun
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Noah B Bloch
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Scott B Hansen
- The Scripps Research Institute-Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John R Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Loren D Walensky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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10
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Abstract
For over three decades, a mainstay and goal of clinical oncology has been the development of therapies promoting the effective elimination of cancer cells by apoptosis. This programmed cell death process is mediated by several signalling pathways (referred to as intrinsic and extrinsic) triggered by multiple factors, including cellular stress, DNA damage and immune surveillance. The interaction of apoptosis pathways with other signalling mechanisms can also affect cell death. The clinical translation of effective pro-apoptotic agents involves drug discovery studies (addressing the bioavailability, stability, tumour penetration, toxicity profile in non-malignant tissues, drug interactions and off-target effects) as well as an understanding of tumour biology (including heterogeneity and evolution of resistant clones). While tumour cell death can result in response to therapy, the selection, growth and dissemination of resistant cells can ultimately be fatal. In this Review, we present the main apoptosis pathways and other signalling pathways that interact with them, and discuss actionable molecular targets, therapeutic agents in clinical translation and known mechanisms of resistance to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wafik S El-Deiry
- The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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11
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Bird GH, Fu A, Escudero S, Godes M, Opoku-Nsiah K, Wales TE, Cameron MD, Engen JR, Danial NN, Walensky LD. Hydrocarbon-Stitched Peptide Agonists of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1340-1348. [PMID: 32348108 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a natural peptide agonist of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) found on pancreatic β-cells. Engagement of the receptor stimulates insulin release in a glucose-dependent fashion and increases β-cell mass, two ideal features for pharmacologic management of type 2 diabetes. Thus, intensive efforts have focused on developing GLP-1-based peptide agonists of GLP-1R for therapeutic application. A primary challenge has been the naturally short half-life of GLP-1 due to its rapid proteolytic degradation in vivo. Whereas mutagenesis and lipidation strategies have yielded clinical agents, we developed an alternative approach to preserving the structure and function of GLP-1 by all-hydrocarbon i, i + 7 stitching. This particular "stitch" is especially well-suited for reinforcing and protecting the structural fidelity of GLP-1. Lead constructs demonstrate striking proteolytic stability and potent biological activity in vivo. Thus, we report a facile approach to generating alternative GLP-1R agonists for glycemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory H. Bird
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Accalia Fu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Silvia Escudero
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Marina Godes
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Kwadwo Opoku-Nsiah
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Thomas E. Wales
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Michael D. Cameron
- DMPK Core, Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - John R. Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nika N. Danial
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Loren D. Walensky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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12
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Harvey EP, Hauseman ZJ, Cohen DT, Rettenmaier TJ, Lee S, Huhn AJ, Wales TE, Seo HS, Luccarelli J, Newman CE, Guerra RM, Bird GH, Dhe-Paganon S, Engen JR, Wells JA, Walensky LD. Identification of a Covalent Molecular Inhibitor of Anti-apoptotic BFL-1 by Disulfide Tethering. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:647-656.e6. [PMID: 32413285 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The BCL-2 family is composed of anti- and pro-apoptotic members that respectively protect or disrupt mitochondrial integrity. Anti-apoptotic overexpression can promote oncogenesis by trapping the BCL-2 homology 3 (BH3) "killer domains" of pro-apoptotic proteins in a surface groove, blocking apoptosis. Groove inhibitors, such as the relatively large BCL-2 drug venetoclax (868 Da), have emerged as cancer therapies. BFL-1 remains an undrugged oncogenic protein and can cause venetoclax resistance. Having identified a unique C55 residue in the BFL-1 groove, we performed a disulfide tethering screen to determine if C55 reactivity could enable smaller molecules to block BFL-1's BH3-binding functionality. We found that a disulfide-bearing N-acetyltryptophan analog (304 Da adduct) effectively targeted BFL-1 C55 and reversed BFL-1-mediated suppression of mitochondrial apoptosis. Structural analyses implicated the conserved leucine-binding pocket of BFL-1 as the interaction site, resulting in conformational remodeling. Thus, therapeutic targeting of BFL-1 may be achievable through the design of small, cysteine-reactive drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward P Harvey
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Zachary J Hauseman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniel T Cohen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - T Justin Rettenmaier
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Susan Lee
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Annissa J Huhn
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Thomas E Wales
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 412 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - James Luccarelli
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Catherine E Newman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rachel M Guerra
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Gregory H Bird
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - John R Engen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 412 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James A Wells
- Departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Loren D Walensky
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Linde Program in Cancer Chemical Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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13
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Kump KJ, Miao L, Mady ASA, Ansari NH, Shrestha UK, Yang Y, Pal M, Liao C, Perdih A, Abulwerdi FA, Chinnaswamy K, Meagher JL, Carlson JM, Khanna M, Stuckey JA, Nikolovska-Coleska Z. Discovery and Characterization of 2,5-Substituted Benzoic Acid Dual Inhibitors of the Anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 and Bfl-1 Proteins. J Med Chem 2020; 63:2489-2510. [PMID: 31971799 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins are overexpressed in a wide spectrum of cancers and have become well validated therapeutic targets. Cancer cells display survival dependence on individual or subsets of anti-apoptotic proteins that could be effectively targeted by multimodal inhibitors. We designed a 2,5-substituted benzoic acid scaffold that displayed equipotent binding to Mcl-1 and Bfl-1. Structure-based design was guided by several solved cocrystal structures with Mcl-1, leading to the development of compound 24, which binds both Mcl-1 and Bfl-1 with Ki values of 100 nM and shows appreciable selectivity over Bcl-2/Bcl-xL. The selective binding profile of 24 was translated to on-target cellular activity in model lymphoma cell lines. These studies lay a foundation for developing more advanced dual Mcl-1/Bfl-1 inhibitors that have potential to provide greater single agent efficacy and broader coverage to combat resistance in several types of cancer than selective Mcl-1 inhibitors alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrej Perdih
- National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | | | | | | | - Jacob M Carlson
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - May Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, United States.,Center for Innovation in Brain Science, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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14
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Bakail M, Rodriguez‐Marin S, Hegedüs Z, Perrin ME, Ochsenbein F, Wilson AJ. Recognition of ASF1 by Using Hydrocarbon-Constrained Peptides. Chembiochem 2019; 20:891-895. [PMID: 30512234 PMCID: PMC6468270 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inhibiting the histone H3-ASF1 (anti-silencing function 1) protein-protein interaction (PPI) represents a potential approach for treating numerous cancers. As an α-helix-mediated PPI, constraining the key histone H3 helix (residues 118-135) is a strategy through which chemical probes might be elaborated to test this hypothesis. In this work, variant H3118-135 peptides bearing pentenylglycine residues at the i and i+4 positions were constrained by olefin metathesis. Biophysical analyses revealed that promotion of a bioactive helical conformation depends on the position at which the constraint is introduced, but that the potency of binding towards ASF1 is unaffected by the constraint and instead that enthalpy-entropy compensation occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Bakail
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)IBITECSCEACNRSUniversité Paris–SudUniversité Paris–Saclay91198Gif-sur-Yvette CedexFrance
- Present address: Inserm, U1016Institut CochinCNRSUMR8104Université Paris Descartes27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques75014ParisFrance
| | - Silvia Rodriguez‐Marin
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Zsófia Hegedüs
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Marie E. Perrin
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)IBITECSCEACNRSUniversité Paris–SudUniversité Paris–Saclay91198Gif-sur-Yvette CedexFrance
| | - Françoise Ochsenbein
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC)IBITECSCEACNRSUniversité Paris–SudUniversité Paris–Saclay91198Gif-sur-Yvette CedexFrance
| | - Andrew J. Wilson
- School of ChemistryUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular BiologyUniversity of LeedsWoodhouse LaneLeedsLS2 9JTUK
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15
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Flores-Romero H, Landeta O, Ugarte-Uribe B, Cosentino K, García-Porras M, García-Sáez AJ, Basañez G. BFL1 modulates apoptosis at the membrane level through a bifunctional and multimodal mechanism showing key differences with BCLXL. Cell Death Differ 2018; 26:1880-1894. [PMID: 30560933 PMCID: PMC6748131 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0258-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BFL1 is a relatively understudied member of the BCL2 protein family which has been implicated in the pathogenesis and chemoresistance of a variety of human cancers, including hematological malignancies and solid tumours. BFL1 is generally considered to have an antiapoptotic function, although its precise mode of action remains unclear. By quantitatively analyzing BFL1 action in synthetic membrane models and in cells, we found that BFL1 inhibits apoptosis through three distinct mechanisms which are similar but not identical to those of BCLXL, the paradigmatic antiapoptotic BCL2 family protein. Strikingly, alterations in lipid composition during apoptosis activate a prodeath function of BFL1 that is based on noncanonical oligomerization of the protein and breaching of the permeability barrier of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). This lipid-triggered prodeath function of BFL1 is absent in BCLXL and also differs from that of the apoptotic effector BAX, which sets it apart from other BCL2 family members. Our findings support a new model in which BFL1 modulates apoptosis through a bifunctional and multimodal mode of action that is distinctly regulated by OMM lipids compared to BCLXL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Flores-Romero
- Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Bizkaia, Spain. .,Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.
| | - Olatz Landeta
- Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Bizkaia, Spain.,Departmento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Begoña Ugarte-Uribe
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, Tübingen, 72076, Germany.,Departmento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Katia Cosentino
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Miguel García-Porras
- Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ana J García-Sáez
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Gorka Basañez
- Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Parque Científico de la UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa, 48940, Bizkaia, Spain.
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