1
|
Gunasekaran P, Hwang YS, Lee GH, Park J, Kim JG, La YK, Park NY, Kothandaraman R, Yim MS, Choi J, Kim HN, Park IY, Lee SJ, Kim MH, Cha-Molstad H, Shin SY, Ryu EK, Bang JK. Degradation of Polo-like Kinase 1 by the Novel Poly-Arginine N-Degron Pathway PROTAC Regulates Tumor Growth in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3307-3320. [PMID: 38105611 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01493] [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: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), which is crucial in cell cycle regulation, is considered a promising anticancer drug target. Herein, we present the N-degron pathway-based proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) for PLK1 degradation, targeting the Polo-box domain (PBD). We identified DD-2 as the most potent PROTAC that selectively induces PLK1 degradation in cancer cells, including HeLa and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), through the N-degron pathway. DD-2 exhibited significant in vitro anticancer effects, inducing G2/M arrest and apoptosis in HeLa and NSCLC cell lines. DD-2 showed significant tumor growth inhibition in a xenograft mouse model using HeLa and NSCLC cell lines, highlighting its potential in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the combination of DD-2 with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), osimertinib, effectively suppressed tumor growth in double-mutated H1975 cell lines, emphasizing DD-2's potential in combination cancer therapies. Collectively, this study demonstrates the potential of the N-degron pathway, especially using DD-2, for targeted cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pethaiah Gunasekaran
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
- Dandicure Inc, Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Sil Hwang
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
- Dandicure Inc, Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Gong-Hyeon Lee
- Dandicure Inc, Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehui Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Gi Kim
- Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang, Cheongwon, Chungbuk 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo Kyung La
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Yeong Park
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Min Su Yim
- Division of Vaccine Development Coordination, Center for Vaccine Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonhyeok Choi
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Nam Kim
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Yeong Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jae Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Cha-Molstad
- Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang, Cheongwon, Chungbuk 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Yub Shin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Kyoung Ryu
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Kyu Bang
- Division of Magnetic Resonance, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
- Dandicure Inc, Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jeong DE, Lee HS, Ku B, Kim CH, Kim SJ, Shin HC. Insights into the recognition mechanism in the UBR box of UBR4 for its specific substrates. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1214. [PMID: 38030679 PMCID: PMC10687169 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05602-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The N-end rule pathway is a proteolytic system involving the destabilization of N-terminal amino acids, known as N-degrons, which are recognized by N-recognins. Dysregulation of the N-end rule pathway results in the accumulation of undesired proteins, causing various diseases. The E3 ligases of the UBR subfamily recognize and degrade N-degrons through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Herein, we investigated UBR4, which has a distinct mechanism for recognizing type-2 N-degrons. Structural analysis revealed that the UBR box of UBR4 differs from other UBR boxes in the N-degron binding sites. It recognizes type-2 N-terminal amino acids containing an aromatic ring and type-1 N-terminal arginine through two phenylalanines on its hydrophobic surface. We also characterized the binding mechanism for the second ligand residue. This is the report on the structural basis underlying the recognition of type-2 N-degrons by the UBR box with implications for understanding the N-end rule pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Da Eun Jeong
- Critical Disease Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Seon Lee
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Division of Biomedical Research, KRIBB, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Bonsu Ku
- Disease Target Structure Research Center, Division of Biomedical Research, KRIBB, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Jun Kim
- Critical Disease Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Proteome Structural Biology, KRIBB School of Bioscience, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ho-Chul Shin
- Critical Disease Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Heo AJ, Kim SB, Kwon YT, Ji CH. The N-degron pathway: From basic science to therapeutic applications. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194934. [PMID: 36990317 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The N-degron pathway is a degradative system in which single N-terminal (Nt) amino acids regulate the half-lives of proteins and other biological materials. These determinants, called N-degrons, are recognized by N-recognins that link them to the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system (UPS) or autophagy-lysosome system (ALS). In the UPS, the Arg/N-degron pathway targets the Nt-arginine (Nt-Arg) and other N-degrons to assemble Lys48 (K48)-linked Ub chains by UBR box N-recognins for proteasomal proteolysis. In the ALS, Arg/N-degrons are recognized by the N-recognin p62/SQSTSM-1/Sequestosome-1 to induce cis-degradation of substrates and trans-degradation of various cargoes such as protein aggregates and subcellular organelles. This crosstalk between the UPS and ALP involves reprogramming of the Ub code. Eukaryotic cells developed diverse ways to target all 20 principal amino acids for degradation. Here we discuss the components, regulation, and functions of the N-degron pathways, with an emphasis on the basic mechanisms and therapeutic applications of Arg/N-degrons and N-recognins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ah Jung Heo
- Cellular Degradation Biology Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Bin Kim
- Cellular Degradation Biology Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Tae Kwon
- Cellular Degradation Biology Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; AUTOTAC Bio Inc., Changkyunggung-ro 254, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03077, Republic of Korea; Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea; SNU Dementia Research Center, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang Hoon Ji
- Cellular Degradation Biology Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; AUTOTAC Bio Inc., Changkyunggung-ro 254, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03077, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Signaling Pathways Regulated by UBR Box-Containing E3 Ligases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158323. [PMID: 34361089 PMCID: PMC8346999 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
UBR box E3 ligases, also called N-recognins, are integral components of the N-degron pathway. Representative N-recognins include UBR1, UBR2, UBR4, and UBR5, and they bind destabilizing N-terminal residues, termed N-degrons. Understanding the molecular bases of their substrate recognition and the biological impact of the clearance of their substrates on cellular signaling pathways can provide valuable insights into the regulation of these pathways. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the binding mechanism of UBR box N-recognin/N-degron interactions and their roles in signaling pathways linked to G-protein-coupled receptors, apoptosis, mitochondrial quality control, inflammation, and DNA damage. The targeting of these UBR box N-recognins can provide potential therapies to treat diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
|