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Abstract
Post-translational modifications of cellular substrates with ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs), including ubiquitin, SUMOs, and neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8, play a central role in regulating many aspects of cell biology. The UBL conjugation cascade is initiated by a family of ATP-dependent enzymes termed E1 activating enzymes and executed by the downstream E2-conjugating enzymes and E3 ligases. Despite their druggability and their key position at the apex of the cascade, pharmacologic modulation of E1s with potent and selective drugs has remained elusive until 2009. Among the eight E1 enzymes identified so far, those initiating ubiquitylation (UBA1), SUMOylation (SAE), and neddylation (NAE) are the most characterized and are implicated in various aspects of cancer biology. To date, over 40 inhibitors have been reported to target UBA1, SAE, and NAE, including the NAE inhibitor pevonedistat, evaluated in more than 30 clinical trials. In this Review, we discuss E1 enzymes, the rationale for their therapeutic targeting in cancer, and their different inhibitors, with emphasis on the pharmacologic properties of adenosine sulfamates and their unique mechanism of action, termed substrate-assisted inhibition. Moreover, we highlight other less-characterized E1s-UBA6, UBA7, UBA4, UBA5, and autophagy-related protein 7-and the opportunities for targeting these enzymes in cancer. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The clinical successes of proteasome inhibitors in cancer therapy and the emerging resistance to these agents have prompted the exploration of other signaling nodes in the ubiquitin-proteasome system including E1 enzymes. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the biology of different E1 enzymes, their roles in cancer, and how to translate this knowledge into novel therapeutic strategies with potential implications in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir H Barghout
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.H.B., A.D.S.); Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.H.B., A.D.S.); and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt (S.H.B.)
| | - Aaron D Schimmer
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.H.B., A.D.S.); Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (S.H.B., A.D.S.); and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt (S.H.B.)
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Zhao B, Tsai YC, Jin B, Wang B, Wang Y, Zhou H, Carpenter T, Weissman AM, Yin J. Protein Engineering in the Ubiquitin System: Tools for Discovery and Beyond. Pharmacol Rev 2020; 72:380-413. [PMID: 32107274 PMCID: PMC7047443 DOI: 10.1124/pr.118.015651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin (UB) transfer cascades consisting of E1, E2, and E3 enzymes constitute a complex network that regulates a myriad of biologic processes by modifying protein substrates. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) reverse UB modifications or trim UB chains of diverse linkages. Additionally, many cellular proteins carry UB-binding domains (UBDs) that translate the signals encoded in UB chains to target proteins for degradation by proteasomes or in autophagosomes, as well as affect nonproteolytic outcomes such as kinase activation, DNA repair, and transcriptional regulation. Dysregulation of the UB transfer pathways and malfunctions of DUBs and UBDs play causative roles in the development of many diseases. A greater understanding of the mechanism of UB chain assembly and the signals encoded in UB chains should aid in our understanding of disease pathogenesis and guide the development of novel therapeutics. The recent flourish of protein-engineering approaches such as unnatural amino acid incorporation, protein semisynthesis by expressed protein ligation, and high throughput selection by phage and yeast cell surface display has generated designer proteins as powerful tools to interrogate cell signaling mediated by protein ubiquitination. In this study, we highlight recent achievements of protein engineering on mapping, probing, and manipulating UB transfer in the cell. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin alters the fate and function of proteins in diverse ways. Protein engineering is fundamentally transforming research in this area, providing new mechanistic insights and allowing for the exploration of concepts that can potentially be applied to therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhao
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Yien Che Tsai
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Bo Jin
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Bufan Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Yiyang Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Han Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Tomaya Carpenter
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Allan M Weissman
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
| | - Jun Yin
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, and School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China (B.Z., B.J., B.W.); Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China (Y.W.); Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland (Y.C.T., A.M.W.); and Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia (Y.W., H.Z., T.C., J.Y.)
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