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Liang CT, Roscow O, Zhang W. Generation and Characterization of Engineered Ubiquitin Variants to Modulate the Ubiquitin Signaling Cascade. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2024; 2024:107784. [PMID: 36997275 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.over107784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin signaling cascade plays a crucial role in human cells. Consistent with this, malfunction of ubiquitination and deubiquitination is implicated in the initiation and progression of numerous human diseases, including cancer. Therefore, the development of potent and specific modulators of ubiquitin signal transduction has been at the forefront of drug development. In the past decade, a structure-based combinatorial protein-engineering approach has been used to generate ubiquitin variants (UbVs) as protein-based modulators of multiple components in the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here, we review the design and generation of phage-displayed UbV libraries, including the processes of binder selection and library improvement. We also provide a comprehensive overview of the general in vitro and cellular methodologies involved in characterizing UbV binders. Finally, we describe two recent applications of UbVs for developing molecules with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen T Liang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Olivia Roscow
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
- CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, MaRS Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G1M1, Canada
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Spano D, Catara G. Targeting the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and Recent Advances in Cancer Therapy. Cells 2023; 13:29. [PMID: 38201233 PMCID: PMC10778545 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a reversible post-translational modification based on the chemical addition of ubiquitin to proteins with regulatory effects on various signaling pathways. Ubiquitination can alter the molecular functions of tagged substrates with respect to protein turnover, biological activity, subcellular localization or protein-protein interaction. As a result, a wide variety of cellular processes are under ubiquitination-mediated control, contributing to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. It follows that the dysregulation of ubiquitination reactions plays a relevant role in the pathogenic states of human diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, immune-related pathologies and cancer. In recent decades, the enzymes of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), including E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs), have attracted attention as novel druggable targets for the development of new anticancer therapeutic approaches. This perspective article summarizes the peculiarities shared by the enzymes involved in the ubiquitination reaction which, when deregulated, can lead to tumorigenesis. Accordingly, an overview of the main pharmacological interventions based on targeting the UPS that are in clinical use or still in clinical trials is provided, also highlighting the limitations of the therapeutic efficacy of these approaches. Therefore, various attempts to circumvent drug resistance and side effects as well as UPS-related emerging technologies in anticancer therapeutics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Spano
- Institute for Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology “G. Salvatore”, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Catara
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Tang JQ, Marchand MM, Veggiani G. Ubiquitin Engineering for Interrogating the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2023; 12:2117. [PMID: 37626927 PMCID: PMC10453149 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein turnover, a highly regulated process governed by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of the UPS has been implicated in various diseases, including viral infections and cancer, making the proteins in the UPS attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. However, the functional and structural redundancies of UPS enzymes present challenges in identifying precise drug targets and achieving target selectivity. Consequently, only 26S proteasome inhibitors have successfully advanced to clinical use thus far. To overcome these obstacles, engineered peptides and proteins, particularly engineered ubiquitin, have emerged as promising alternatives. In this review, we examine the impact of engineered ubiquitin on UPS and non-UPS proteins, as well as on viral enzymes. Furthermore, we explore their potential to guide the development of small molecules targeting novel surfaces, thereby expanding the range of druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Q. Tang
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada
| | - Mary M. Marchand
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Gianluca Veggiani
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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Kao HW, Lu WL, Ho MR, Lin YF, Hsieh YJ, Ko TP, Danny Hsu ST, Wu KP. Robust Design of Effective Allosteric Activators for Rsp5 E3 Ligase Using the Machine Learning Tool ProteinMPNN. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:2310-2319. [PMID: 37556858 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
We used the deep learning tool ProteinMPNN to redesign ubiquitin (Ub) as a specific and functionally stimulating/enhancing binder of the Rsp5 E3 ligase. We generated 20 extensively mutated─up to 37 of 76 residues─recombinant Ub variants (UbVs), named R1 to R20, displaying well-folded structures and high thermal stabilities. These UbVs can also form stable complexes with Rsp5, as predicted using AlphaFold2. Three of the UbVs bound to Rsp5 with low micromolar affinity, with R4 and R12 effectively enhancing the Rsp5 activity six folds. AlphaFold2 predicts that R4 and R12 bind to Rsp5's exosite in an identical manner to the Rsp5-Ub template, thereby allosterically activating Rsp5-Ub thioester formation. Thus, we present a virtual solution for rapidly and cost-effectively designing UbVs as functional modulators of Ub-related enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsi-Wen Kao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lin Lu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Ru Ho
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fong Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Jung Hsieh
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ping Ko
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Te Danny Hsu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Kuen-Phon Wu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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Rennie ML, Arkinson C, Chaugule VK, Walden H. Cryo-EM reveals a mechanism of USP1 inhibition through a cryptic binding site. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq6353. [PMID: 36170365 PMCID: PMC9519042 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq6353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Repair of DNA damage is critical to genomic integrity and frequently disrupted in cancers. Ubiquitin-specific protease 1 (USP1), a nucleus-localized deubiquitinase, lies at the interface of multiple DNA repair pathways and is a promising drug target for certain cancers. Although multiple inhibitors of this enzyme, including one in phase 1 clinical trials, have been established, their binding mode is unknown. Here, we use cryo-electron microscopy to study an assembled enzyme-substrate-inhibitor complex of USP1 and the well-established inhibitor, ML323. Achieving 2.5-Å resolution, with and without ML323, we find an unusual binding mode in which the inhibitor disrupts part of the hydrophobic core of USP1. The consequent conformational changes in the secondary structure lead to subtle rearrangements in the active site that underlie the mechanism of inhibition. These structures provide a platform for structure-based drug design targeting USP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L. Rennie
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Connor Arkinson
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Viduth K. Chaugule
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Veggiani G, Gerpe MCR, Sidhu SS, Zhang W. Emerging drug development technologies targeting ubiquitination for cancer therapeutics. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 199:139-154. [PMID: 30851297 PMCID: PMC7112620 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Development of effective cancer therapeutic strategies relies on our ability to interfere with cellular processes that are dysregulated in tumors. Given the essential role of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) in regulating a myriad of cellular processes, it is not surprising that malfunction of UPS components is implicated in numerous human diseases, including many types of cancer. The clinical success of proteasome inhibitors in treating multiple myeloma has further stimulated enthusiasm for targeting UPS proteins for pharmacological intervention in cancer treatment, particularly in the precision medicine era. Unfortunately, despite tremendous efforts, the paucity of potent and selective UPS inhibitors has severely hampered attempts to exploit the UPS for therapeutic benefits. To tackle this problem, many groups have been working on technology advancement to rapidly and effectively screen for potent and specific UPS modulators as intracellular probes or early-phase therapeutic agents. Here, we review several emerging technologies for developing chemical- and protein-based molecules to manipulate UPS enzymatic activity, with the aim of providing an overview of strategies available to target ubiquitination for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Veggiani
- The Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada
| | - María Carla Rosales Gerpe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- The Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1, Canada.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1, Canada.
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