Aleksandra Twarda-Clapa

Two‐Step Synthesis of Complex Artificial Macrocyclic Compounds

The design and synthesis of head-to-tail linked artificial macrocycles using the Ugi-reaction has been developed. This synthetic approach of just two steps is unprecedented, short, efficient and works over a wide range of medium (8-11) and macrocyclic (≥12) loop sizes. The substrate scope and functional group tolerance is exceptional. Using this approach, we have synthesized 39 novel macrocycles by two or even one single synthetic operation. The properties of our macrocycles are discussed with respect to their potential to bind to biological targets that are not druggable by conventional, drug-like compounds. As an application of these artificial macrocycles we highlight potent p53-MDM2 antagonism.

Rational design and synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles as potent inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction.

Using the computational pharmacophore-based ANCHOR.QUERY platform a new scaffold was discovered. Potent compounds evolved inhibiting the protein-protein interaction p53-MDM2. An extensive SAR study was performed based on our four-point pharmacophore model, yielding derivatives with affinity to MDM2 in the nanomolar range. Their binding affinity with MDM2 was evaluated using both fluorescence polarization (FP) assay and 2D-NMR-HSQC experiments.

Scaffold hopping via ANCHOR.QUERY: β-lactams as potent p53-MDM2 antagonists

Using the pharmacophore-based virtual screening platform ANCHOR.QUERY, we morphed our recently described Ugi-4CR scaffold towards a β-lactam scaffold with potent p53-MDM2 antagonizing activities. 2D-HSQC and FP measurements confirm potent MDM2 binding. Molecular modeling studies are used to understand the observed SAR in the β-lactam series.

Artificial Macrocycles as Potent p53–MDM2 Inhibitors

Based on a combination of an Ugi four component reaction and a ring closing metathesis, a library of novel artificial macrocyclic inhibitors of the p53–MDM2 interaction was designed and synthesized. These macrocycles, alternatively to stapled peptides, target for the first time the large hydrophobic surface area formed by Tyr67, Gln72, His73, Val93, and Lys94 yielding derivatives with affinity to MDM2 in the nanomolar range. Their binding affinity with MDM2 was evaluated using fluorescence polarization (FP) assay and 1H–15N two-dimensional HSQC nuclear magnetic resonance experiments.

NMR fragment-based screening for development of the CD44-binding small molecules

The cell-surface protein CD44, a primary receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA), is one of the most promising targets for cancer therapies. It is prominently involved in the process of tumor growth and metastasis. The possibility of modulating the CD44-HA interaction with a pharmacological inhibitor is therefore of great importance, yet until now there are only few small molecules reported to bind to CD44. Here, we describe the results of the NMR fragment-based screening conducted against CD44 by which we found eight new hit compounds that bind to the receptor with the affinity in milimolar range. The NMR-based characterization revealed that there are two possible binding modes for these compounds, and for some of them the binding is no longer possible in the presence of hyaluronic acid. This could provide an interesting starting point for the development of new high-affinity ligands targeting the CD44-HA axis.

CCDC 1054956: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Ewa Surmiak, Aleksandra Twarda-Clapa, Krzysztof M. Zak, Bogdan Musielak, Marcin D. Tomala, Katarzyna Kubica, Przemyslaw Grudnik, Mariusz Madej, Mateusz Jablonski, Jan Potempa, Justyna Kalinowska-Tluscik, Alexander Domling, Grzegorz Dubin, Tad A. Holak|2016|ACS Chem.Biol.|11|3310|doi:10.1021/acschembio.6b00596

Structural Characterization of Human Coronavirus NL63 N Protein.

ABSTRACT Coronaviruses are responsible for upper and lower respiratory tract infections in humans. It is estimated that 1 to 10% of the population suffers annually from cold-like symptoms related to infection with human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63), an alphacoronavirus. The nucleocapsid (N) protein, the major structural component of the capsid, facilitates RNA packing, links the capsid to the envelope, and is also involved in multiple other processes, including viral replication and evasion of the immune system. Although the role of N protein in viral replication is relatively well described, no structural data are currently available regarding the N proteins of alphacoronaviruses. Moreover, our understanding of the mechanisms of RNA binding and nucleocapsid formation remains incomplete. In this study, we solved the crystal structures of the N- and C-terminal domains (NTD, residues 10 to 140, and CTD, residues 221 to 340, respectively) of the N protein of HCoV-NL63, both at a 1.5-Å resolution. Based on our structure of NTD solved here, we proposed and experimentally evaluated a model of RNA binding. The structure of the CTD reveals the mode of N protein dimerization. Overall, this study expands our understanding of the initial steps of N protein-nucleic acid interaction and may facilitate future efforts to control the associated infections. IMPORTANCE Coronaviruses are responsible for the common cold and other respiratory tract infections in humans. According to multiple studies, 1 to 10% of the population is infected each year with HCoV-NL63. Viruses are relatively simple organisms composed of a few proteins and the nucleic acids that carry the information determining their composition. The nucleocapsid (N) protein studied in this work protects the nucleic acid from the environmental factors during virus transmission. This study investigated the structural arrangement of N protein, explaining the first steps of its interaction with nucleic acid at the initial stages of virus structure assembly. The results expand our understanding of coronavirus physiology and may facilitate future efforts to control the associated infections.