Co-crystallization of human inositol monophosphatase with the lithium mimetic L-690,330

Emerging role of inositol monophosphatase in cancer

Inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) is an enzyme with two homologs-IMPA1 and IMPA2-that is responsible for dephosphorylating myo-inositol monophosphate to generate myo-inositol. IMPase has been extensively studied in neuropsychiatric diseases and is regarded as a susceptibility gene. Recently, emerging evidence has implied that IMPase is linked to cancer development and progression and correlates with patient survival outcomes. Interestingly, whether it acts as a tumor-promoter or tumor-suppressor is inconsistent among different research studies. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on IMPase in cancer, focusing on exploring the underlying mechanisms for its pro- and anticancer roles. In addition, we discuss the potential methods of IMPase regulation in cancer cells and the possible approaches for IMPase intervention in clinical practice.

Structural and biochemical analysis of human inositol monophosphatase-1 inhibition by ebselen

Bipolar disorder is a major psychiatric disorder associated with cognitive impairment and a high suicide rate. Frontline therapy for this condition includes lithium (Li+)-containing treatments that can exert severe side effects. One target of Li+ is inositol monophosphatase-1 (IMPase1); inhibition of IMPase1 through small-molecule compounds may provide an alternative treatment for bipolar disorder. One such compound is the anti-inflammatory drug ebselen, which is well tolerated and safe; however, ebselen's exact mechanism of action in IMPase1 inhibition is not fully understood, preventing rational design of IMPase1 inhibitors. To fill this gap, we performed crystallographic and biochemical studies to investigate how ebselen inhibits IMPase1. We obtained a structure of IMPase1 in space group P21 after treatment with ebselen that revealed three key active-site loops (residues 33-44, 70-79, and 161-165) that are either disordered or in multiple conformations, supporting a hypothesis whereby dynamic conformational changes may be important for catalysis and ebselen inhibition. Using the thermal shift assay, we confirmed that ebselen significantly destabilizes the enzyme. Molecular docking suggests that ebselen could bind in the vicinity of His217. Investigation of the role of IMPase1 residues His217 and Cys218 suggests that inhibition of IMPase1 by ebselen may not be mediated via covalent modification of the active-site cysteine (Cys218) and is not affected by the covalent modification of other cysteine residues in the structure. Our results suggest that effects previously ascribed to ebselen-dependent inhibition likely result from disruption of essential active-site architecture, preventing activation of the IMPase1-Mg2+ complex.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploring Calbindin-IMPase fusion proteins structure and activity

Calbindin-D28k is a calcium binding protein that is highly expressed in the mammalian central nervous system. It has been reported that calbindin-D28k binds to and increases the activity of inositol Monophosphatase (IMPase). This is an enzyme that is involved in the homeostasis of the Inositol trisphosphate signalling cascade by catalysing the final dephosphorylation of inositol and has been implicated in the therapeutic mechanism of lithium treatment of bipolar disorder. Previously studies have shown that calbindin-D28k can increase IMPase activity by up to 250 hundred-fold. A preliminary in silico model was proposed for the interaction.

Here, we aimed at exploring the shape and properties of the calbindin-IMPase complex to gain new insights on this biologically important interaction. We created several fusion constructs of calbindin-D28k and IMPase, connected by flexible amino acid linkers of different lengths and orientations to fuse the termini of the two proteins together. The resulting fusion proteins have activities 200%–400% higher the isolated wild-type IMPase. The constructs were characterized by small angle X-ray scattering to gain information on the overall shape of the complexes and validate the previous model. The fusion proteins form a V-shaped, elongated and less compact complex as compared to the model. Our results shed new light into this protein-protein interaction.

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The interaction between calbindin-D28k and the enzyme IMPase is studies using fusion proteins.

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The fusion proteins have activities 200%–400% higher than wild-type IMPase.

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The calbindin-D28k and the enzyme IMPase fusion proteins have a V-shaped structure.

Crystallization and structure of ebselen bound to Cys141 of human inositol monophosphatase

Inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) is inhibited by lithium, which is the most efficacious treatment for bipolar disorder. Several therapies have been approved, or are going through clinical trials, aimed at the replacement of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder. One candidate small molecule is ebselen, a selenium-containing antioxidant, which has been demonstrated to produce lithium-like effects both in a murine model and in clinical trials. Here, the crystallization and the first structure of human IMPase covalently complexed with ebselen, a 1.47 Å resolution crystal structure (PDB entry 6zk0), are presented. In the complex with human IMPase, ebselen in a ring-opened conformation is covalently attached to Cys141, a residue located away from the active site. IMPase is a dimeric enzyme and in the crystal structure two adjacent dimers share four ebselen molecules, creating a tetramer with approximate 222 symmetry. In the crystal structure presented in this publication, the active site in the tetramer is still accessible, suggesting that ebselen may function as an allosteric inhibitor or may block the binding of partner proteins.