Drug resistance dependent on allostery: A P-loop rigor Eg5 mutant exhibits resistance to allosteric inhibition by STLC

Fragment-Based Drug Discovery of KIF11 Inhibitors for Glioblastoma Treatment: Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Potential

Fragment based novel drug identification and its validation through use of molecular dynamics and simulations.Comparing primary microcephaly genes with glioblastoma expression profiles reveals potential oncogenes, with proteins that support growth and survival in neural stem/progenitor cells likely retaining critical roles in glioblastoma. Identifying such proteins in familial and congenital microcephalic disorders offers promising targets for brain tumor therapy. Among these, KIF11, a kinesin motor protein (KSP), stands out as a significant oncogene. Expression analyses across various cancer types, including glioblastoma, demonstrate its overexpression in brain tumor patients. Using a targeted fragment-based drug discovery approach, we explored alternative small molecule inhibitors for KIF11. Existing drugs, such as ispinesib, are limited by side effects and multidrug resistance. Through molecular docking and simulations, we identified three candidate drug fragments. Further analysis confirmed that Mol-121026 exhibits a more stable interaction with KIF11 compared to ispinesib. Detailed analyses indicate that Mol-121026 binds to the same active site as the reference drug, effectively inhibiting KIF11's mechano-chemical activity. Importantly, Mol-121026, a derivative of 3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-carboxylic acid, offers a promising alternative due to its lower molecular complexity, ability to target allosteric sites, and potential for optimization into a potent and effective drug candidate. Our findings identified Mol-121026 as a top candidate with a docking score of -10.2 kcal/mol and MM/GBSA binding energy of -19.10 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed stable interactions with key residues GLU116 and GLU118, supporting its potential as a promising KIF11 inhibitor.

Mitotic Functions and Characters of KIF11 in Cancers

Mitosis mediates the accurate separation of daughter cells, and abnormalities are closely related to cancer progression. KIF11, a member of the kinesin family, plays a vital role in the formation and maintenance of the mitotic spindle. Recently, an increasing quantity of data have demonstrated the upregulated expression of KIF11 in various cancers, promoting the emergence and progression of cancers. This suggests the great potential of KIF11 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. However, the molecular mechanisms of KIF11 in cancers have not been systematically summarized. Therefore, we first discuss the functions of the protein encoded by KIF11 during mitosis and connect the abnormal expression of KIF11 with its clinical significance. Then, we elucidate the mechanism of KIF11 to promote various hallmarks of cancers. Finally, we provide an overview of KIF11 inhibitors and outline areas for future work.