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Leusmann S, Ménová P, Shanin E, Titz A, Rademacher C. Glycomimetics for the inhibition and modulation of lectins. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:3663-3740. [PMID: 37232696 PMCID: PMC10243309 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00954d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Carbohydrates are essential mediators of many processes in health and disease. They regulate self-/non-self- discrimination, are key elements of cellular communication, cancer, infection and inflammation, and determine protein folding, function and life-times. Moreover, they are integral to the cellular envelope for microorganisms and participate in biofilm formation. These diverse functions of carbohydrates are mediated by carbohydrate-binding proteins, lectins, and the more the knowledge about the biology of these proteins is advancing, the more interfering with carbohydrate recognition becomes a viable option for the development of novel therapeutics. In this respect, small molecules mimicking this recognition process become more and more available either as tools for fostering our basic understanding of glycobiology or as therapeutics. In this review, we outline the general design principles of glycomimetic inhibitors (Section 2). This section is then followed by highlighting three approaches to interfere with lectin function, i.e. with carbohydrate-derived glycomimetics (Section 3.1), novel glycomimetic scaffolds (Section 3.2) and allosteric modulators (Section 3.3). We summarize recent advances in design and application of glycomimetics for various classes of lectins of mammalian, viral and bacterial origin. Besides highlighting design principles in general, we showcase defined cases in which glycomimetics have been advanced to clinical trials or marketed. Additionally, emerging applications of glycomimetics for targeted protein degradation and targeted delivery purposes are reviewed in Section 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Leusmann
- Chemical Biology of Carbohydrates (CBCH), Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Petra Ménová
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Shanin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Titz
- Chemical Biology of Carbohydrates (CBCH), Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christoph Rademacher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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2
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Targeting galectin-driven regulatory circuits in cancer and fibrosis. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:295-316. [PMID: 36759557 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00636-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Galectins are a family of endogenous glycan-binding proteins that have crucial roles in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. As a group, these proteins use both extracellular and intracellular mechanisms as well as glycan-dependent and independent pathways to reprogramme the fate and function of numerous cell types. Given their multifunctional roles in both tissue fibrosis and cancer, galectins have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for these disorders. Here, we focus on the therapeutic relevance of galectins, particularly galectin 1 (GAL1), GAL3 and GAL9 to tumour progression and fibrotic diseases. We consider an array of galectin-targeted strategies, including small-molecule carbohydrate inhibitors, natural polysaccharides and their derivatives, peptides, peptidomimetics and biological agents (notably, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and truncated galectins) and discuss their mechanisms of action, selectivity and therapeutic potential in preclinical models of fibrosis and cancer. We also review the results of clinical trials that aim to evaluate the efficacy of galectin inhibitors in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cancer. The rapid pace of glycobiology research, combined with the acute need for drugs to alleviate fibrotic inflammation and overcome resistance to anticancer therapies, will accelerate the translation of anti-galectin therapeutics into clinical practice.
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3
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van Klaveren S, Dernovšek J, Jakopin Ž, Anderluh M, Leffler H, Nilsson UJ, Tomašič T. Design and synthesis of novel 3-triazolyl-1-thiogalactosides as galectin-1, -3 and -8 inhibitors. RSC Adv 2022; 12:18973-18984. [PMID: 35873334 PMCID: PMC9245910 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra03163a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectins are galactoside-binding proteins that play a role in various pathophysiological conditions, making them attractive targets in drug discovery. We have designed and synthesised a focused library of aromatic 3-triazolyl-1-thiogalactosides targeting their core site for binding of galactose and a subsite on its non-reducing side. Evaluation of their binding affinities for galectin-1, -3, and -8N identified acetamide-based compound 36 as a suitable compound for further affinity enhancement by adding groups at the reducing side of the galactose. Synthesis of its dichlorothiophenyl analogue 59 and the thiodigalactoside analogue 62 yielded promising pan-galectin inhibitors. A new series of potent galectin ligands based on the galactose and triazole moieties was designed and synthesised.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjors van Klaveren
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Aškerčeva cesta 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia .,Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University SE-221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Jaka Dernovšek
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Aškerčeva cesta 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Žiga Jakopin
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Aškerčeva cesta 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Marko Anderluh
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Aškerčeva cesta 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section MIG, Lund University BMC-C1228b Klinikgatan 28 221 84 Lund Sweden
| | - Ulf J Nilsson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University SE-221 00 Lund Sweden
| | - Tihomir Tomašič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Aškerčeva cesta 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
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4
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van Klaveren S, Sundin AP, Jakopin Ž, Anderluh M, Leffler H, Nilsson UJ, Tomašič T. Selective Galectin-8N Ligands: The Design and Synthesis of Phthalazinone-d-Galactals. ChemMedChem 2021; 17:e202100575. [PMID: 34913595 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Ligand selectivity among the highly conserved galectins has been an ever-challenging objective. For galectin-8, a protein prevalent in both pathology and tissue distribution, we report phthalazinone-galactals that show excellent selectivity for the galectin-8N-terminal domain. A dissection of structure-activity relationships of the phthalazinone and an extensive molecular dynamics meta-analysis accompany the discovery of the selective galectin-8N ligands presented here. These selective compounds will facilitate the study of galectin-8 biology and may have pharmaceutical relevance in the wide range of galectin-8 associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjors van Klaveren
- Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Faculty of Science, Naturvetarvägen 14, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders P Sundin
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Faculty of Science, Naturvetarvägen 14, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Žiga Jakopin
- Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Anderluh
- Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section MIG, Lund University, BMC-C1228b, Klinikgatan 28, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf J Nilsson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Faculty of Science, Naturvetarvägen 14, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tihomir Tomašič
- Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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5
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Girardi B, Manna M, Van Klaveren S, Tomašič T, Jakopin Ž, Leffler H, Nilsson UJ, Ricklin D, Mravljak J, Schwardt O, Anderluh M. Selective Monovalent Galectin-8 Ligands Based on 3-Lactoylgalactoside. ChemMedChem 2021; 17:e202100514. [PMID: 34613662 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Galectin-8 has gained attention as a potential new pharmacological target for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and disorders associated with bone mass reduction. To that end, new molecular probes are needed in order to better understand its role and its functions. Herein we aimed to improve the affinity and target selectivity of a recently published galectin-8 ligand, 3-O-[1-carboxyethyl]-β-d-galactopyranoside, by introducing modifications at positions 1 and 3 of the galactose. Affinity data measured by fluorescence polarization show that the most potent compound reached a KD of 12 μM. Furthermore, reasonable selectivity versus other galectins was achieved, making the highlighted compound a promising lead for the development of new selective and potent ligands for galectin-8 as molecular probes to examine the protein's role in cell-based and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Girardi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerčeva cesta, 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martina Manna
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerčeva cesta, 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sjors Van Klaveren
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerčeva cesta, 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Centre for Analysis and Synthesis - Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tihomir Tomašič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerčeva cesta, 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Žiga Jakopin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerčeva cesta, 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis - Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf J Nilsson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis - Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Ricklin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Janez Mravljak
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerčeva cesta, 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Oliver Schwardt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marko Anderluh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Askerčeva cesta, 7, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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6
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Hassan M, van Klaveren S, Håkansson M, Diehl C, Kovačič R, Baussière F, Sundin AP, Dernovšek J, Walse B, Zetterberg F, Leffler H, Anderluh M, Tomašič T, Jakopin Ž, Nilsson UJ. Benzimidazole-galactosides bind selectively to the Galectin-8 N-Terminal domain: Structure-based design and optimisation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 223:113664. [PMID: 34225180 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We have obtained the X-ray crystal structure of the galectin-8 N-terminal domain (galectin-8N) with a previously reported quinoline-galactoside ligand at a resolution of 1.6 Å. Based on this X-ray structure, a collection of galactosides derivatised at O3 with triazole, benzimidazole, benzothiazole, and benzoxazole moieties were designed and synthesised. This led to the discovery of a 3-O-(N-methylbenzimidazolylmethyl)-galactoside with a Kd of 1.8 μM for galectin-8N, the most potent selective synthetic galectin-8N ligand to date. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that benzimidazole-galactoside derivatives bind the non-conserved amino acid Gln47, accounting for the higher selectivity for galectin-8N. Galectin-8 is a carbohydrate-binding protein that plays a key role in pathological lymphangiogenesis, modulation of the immune system, and autophagy. Thus, the benzimidazole-derivatised galactosides represent promising compounds for studies of the pathological implications of galectin-8, as well as a starting point for the development of anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory therapeutics targeting galectin-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujtaba Hassan
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sjors van Klaveren
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maria Håkansson
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Carl Diehl
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rebeka Kovačič
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Floriane Baussière
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders P Sundin
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jaka Dernovšek
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Björn Walse
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Zetterberg
- Galecto Biotech AB, Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregatan 8 A, SE-413 46, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section MIG, Lund University BMC-C1228b, Klinikgatan 28, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marko Anderluh
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tihomir Tomašič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Žiga Jakopin
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ulf J Nilsson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
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7
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Galectin-1 fosters an immunosuppressive microenvironment in colorectal cancer by reprogramming CD8 + regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2102950118. [PMID: 34006646 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2102950118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although immunotherapy has taken center stage in mainstream oncology, it has shown limited clinical efficacy in CRC, generating an urgent need for discovery of new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), an endogenous glycan-binding protein, induces tolerogenic programs and contributes to tumor cell evasion of immune responses. Here, we investigated the relevance of Gal-1 in CRC and explored its modulatory activity within the CD8+ regulatory T cell (Treg) compartment. Mice lacking Gal-1 (Lgals1 -/- ) developed a lower number of tumors and showed a decreased frequency of a particular population of CD8+CD122+PD-1+ Tregs in the azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate model of colitis-associated CRC. Moreover, silencing of tumor-derived Gal-1 in the syngeneic CT26 CRC model resulted in reduced number and attenuated immunosuppressive capacity of CD8+CD122+PD-1+ Tregs, leading to slower tumor growth. Moreover, stromal Gal-1 also influenced the fitness of CD8+ Tregs, highlighting the contribution of both tumor and stromal-derived Gal-1 to this immunoregulatory effect. Finally, bioinformatic analysis of a colorectal adenocarcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset revealed a particular signature characterized by high CD8+ Treg score and elevated Gal-1 expression, which delineates poor prognosis in human CRC. Our findings identify CD8+CD122+PD-1+ Tregs as a target of the immunoregulatory activity of Gal-1, suggesting a potential immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of CRC.
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8
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Tsvetkov YE, Yudina ON, Nifantiev NE. 3-Amino-3-deoxy- and 4-amino-4-deoxyhexoses in the synthesis of natural carbohydrate compounds and their analogues. RUSSIAN CHEMICAL REVIEWS 2021. [DOI: 10.1070/rcr4974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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9
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Krautter F, Iqbal AJ. Glycans and Glycan-Binding Proteins as Regulators and Potential Targets in Leukocyte Recruitment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:624082. [PMID: 33614653 PMCID: PMC7890243 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.624082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte recruitment is a highly controlled cascade of interactions between proteins expressed by the endothelium and circulating leukocytes. The involvement of glycans and glycan-binding proteins in the leukocyte recruitment cascade has been well-characterised. However, our understanding of these interactions and their regulation has expanded substantially in recent years to include novel lectins and regulatory pathways. In this review, we discuss the role of glycans and glycan-binding proteins, mediating the interactions between endothelium and leukocytes both directly and indirectly. We also highlight recent findings of key enzymes involved in glycosylation which affect leukocyte recruitment. Finally, we investigate the potential of glycans and glycan binding proteins as therapeutic targets to modulate leukocyte recruitment and transmigration in inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Krautter
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Asif J Iqbal
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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10
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Mahanti M, Pal KB, Sundin AP, Leffler H, Nilsson UJ. Epimers Switch Galectin-9 Domain Selectivity: 3 N-Aryl Galactosides Bind the C-Terminal and Gulosides Bind the N-Terminal. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:34-39. [PMID: 31938460 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of 3-deoxy-3-N-arylated-β-d-galactoside and -guloside derivatives have been synthesized by cesium fluoride/trimetylsilylaryl triflate-mediated benzyne generation and N-arylation of 3-deoxy-3-amino-β-d-galactosides and -gulosides, respectively. Evaluation as ligands to galectin-1, 2, 3, 4N (N-terminal domain), 4C (C-terminal domain), 7, 8N, 8C, 9C, and 9N revealed that the galactosides selectively bound galectin-9C, whereas the gulosides selectively bound galectin-9N. Hence, the N-aryl group induces galectin-9 selectivity and the ligand 3C-configuration acts as an epimeric selectivity switch between the two domains of galectin-9. Furthermore, MD simulations revealed that galacto derivatives in galectin-9C and gulo derivatives in galectin-9N find stable poses with specific interactions, which proposes a possible explanation to the gal/gulo 9C/9N selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukul Mahanti
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kumar Bhaskar Pal
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders P. Sundin
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section MIG, Lund University BMC-C1228b, Klinikgatan 28, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf J. Nilsson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
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11
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Dahlqvist A, Mandal S, Peterson K, Håkansson M, Logan DT, Zetterberg FR, Leffler H, Nilsson UJ. 3-Substituted 1-Naphthamidomethyl-C-galactosyls Interact with Two Unique Sub-sites for High-Affinity and High-Selectivity Inhibition of Galectin-3. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24244554. [PMID: 31842451 PMCID: PMC6943516 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24244554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The galectins are a family of galactose-binding proteins playing key roles in inflammatory processes and cancer. However, they are structurally very closely related, and discovery of highly selective inhibitors is challenging. In this work, we report the design of novel inhibitors binding to a subsite unique to galectin-3, which confers both high selectivity and affinity towards galectin-3. Olefin cross metathesis between allyl β-C-galactopyranosyl and 1-vinylnaphthalenes or acylation of aminomethyl β-C-galactopyranosyl with 1-naphthoic acid derivatives gave C-galactopyranosyls carrying 1-naphthamide structural elements that interacted favorably with a galectin-3 unique subsite according to molecular modeling and X-ray structural analysis of two inhibitor-galectin-3 complexes. Affinities were down to sub-µM and selectivities over galectin-1, 2, 4 N-terminal domain, 4 C-terminal domain, 7, 8 N-terminal domain, 9 N-terminal domain, and 9 C-terminal domain were high. These results show that high affinity and selectivity for a single galectin can be achieved by targeting unique subsites, which holds promise for further development of small and selective galectin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Dahlqvist
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, POB124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; (A.D.); (S.M.); (K.P.)
| | - Santanu Mandal
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, POB124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; (A.D.); (S.M.); (K.P.)
| | - Kristoffer Peterson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, POB124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; (A.D.); (S.M.); (K.P.)
| | - Maria Håkansson
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 63 Lund, Sweden; (M.H.); (D.T.L.)
| | - Derek T. Logan
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 63 Lund, Sweden; (M.H.); (D.T.L.)
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Center for Molecular Protein Science, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, POB124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik R. Zetterberg
- Galecto Biotech AB, Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregatan 8 A, SE-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section MIG, Lund University BMC-C1228b, Klinikgatan 28, 221 84 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Ulf J. Nilsson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, POB124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; (A.D.); (S.M.); (K.P.)
- Correspondence:
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