Gennadiy Poda

Small-molecule inhibition of MLL activity by disruption of its interaction with WDR5.

WDR5 (WD40 repeat protein 5) is an essential component of the human trithorax-like family of SET1 [Su(var)3–9 enhancer-of-zeste trithorax 1] methyltransferase complexes that carry out trimethylation of histone 3 Lys4 (H3K4me3), play key roles in development and are abnormally expressed in many cancers. In the present study, we show that the interaction between WDR5 and peptides from the catalytic domain of MLL (mixed-lineage leukaemia protein) (KMT2) can be antagonized with a small molecule. Structural and biophysical analysis show that this antagonist binds in the WDR5 peptide-binding pocket with a Kd of 450 nM and inhibits the catalytic activity of the MLL core complex in vitro. The degree of inhibition was enhanced at lower protein concentrations consistent with a role for WDR5 in directly stabilizing the MLL multiprotein complex. Our data demonstrate inhibition of an important protein–protein interaction and form the basis for further development of inhibitors of WDR5-dependent enzymes implicated in MLL-rearranged leukaemias or other cancers.

An Allosteric Inhibitor of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 3

PRMT3, a protein arginine methyltransferase, has been shown to influence ribosomal biosynthesis by catalyzing the dimethylation of the 40S ribosomal protein S2. Although PRMT3 has been reported to be a cytosolic protein, it has been shown to methylate histone H4 peptide (H4 1-24) in vitro. Here, we report the identification of a PRMT3 inhibitor (1-(benzo[d][1,2,3]thiadiazol-6-yl)-3-(2-cyclohexenylethyl)urea; compound 1) with IC50 value of 2.5 μM by screening a library of 16,000 compounds using H4 (1-24) peptide as a substrate. The crystal structure of PRMT3 in complex with compound 1 as well as kinetic analysis reveals an allosteric mechanism of inhibition. Mutating PRMT3 residues within the allosteric site or using compound 1 analogs that disrupt interactions with allosteric site residues both abrogated binding and inhibitory activity. These data demonstrate an allosteric mechanism for inhibition of protein arginine methyltransferases, an emerging class of therapeutic targets.

Reconstitution and characterization of eukaryotic N6-threonylcarbamoylation of tRNA using a minimal enzyme system

The universally conserved Kae1/Qri7/YgjD and Sua5/YrdC protein families have been implicated in growth, telomere homeostasis, transcription and the N6-threonylcarbamoylation (t6A) of tRNA, an essential modification required for translational fidelity by the ribosome. In bacteria, YgjD orthologues operate in concert with the bacterial-specific proteins YeaZ and YjeE, whereas in archaeal and eukaryotic systems, Kae1 operates as part of a larger macromolecular assembly called KEOPS with Bud32, Cgi121, Gon7 and Pcc1 subunits. Qri7 orthologues function in the mitochondria and may represent the most primitive member of the Kae1/Qri7/YgjD protein family. In accordance with previous findings, we confirm that Qri7 complements Kae1 function and uncover that Qri7 complements the function of all KEOPS subunits in growth, t6A biosynthesis and, to a partial degree, telomere maintenance. These observations suggest that Kae1 provides a core essential function that other subunits within KEOPS have evolved to support. Consistent with this inference, Qri7 alone is sufficient for t6A biosynthesis with Sua5 in vitro. In addition, the 2.9 Å crystal structure of Qri7 reveals a simple homodimer arrangement that is supplanted by the heterodimerization of YgjD with YeaZ in bacteria and heterodimerization of Kae1 with Pcc1 in KEOPS. The partial complementation of telomere maintenance by Qri7 hints that KEOPS has evolved novel functions in higher organisms.

Structure and mechanism of action of the hydroxy-aryl-aldehyde class of IRE1 endoribonuclease inhibitors.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates the unfolded protein response and its dysfunction is linked to multiple diseases. The stress transducer IRE1α is a transmembrane kinase endoribonuclease (RNase) that cleaves mRNA substrates to re-establish ER homeostasis. Aromatic ring systems containing hydroxy-aldehyde moieties, termed hydroxy aryl aldehydes (HAA), selectively inhibit IRE1α RNase and thus represent a novel chemical series for therapeutic development. We solved crystal structures of murine IRE1α in complex with three HAA inhibitors. HAA inhibitors engage a shallow pocket at the RNase active site through pi-stacking interactions with His910 and Phe889, an essential Schiff base with Lys907 and a H-bond with Tyr892. Structure activity studies and mutational analysis of contact residues define the optimal chemical space of inhibitors and validate the inhibitor binding site. These studies lay the foundation for understanding both the biochemical and cellular functions of IRE1α using small molecule inhibitors and suggest new avenues for inhibitor design.

Synthesis, Optimization, and Evaluation of Novel Small Molecules as Antagonists of WDR5-MLL Interaction.

The WD40-repeat protein WDR5 plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of MLL complexes and fully activating their methyltransferase function. MLL complexes, the trithorax-like family of SET1 methyltransferases, catalyze trimethylation of lysine 4 on histone 3, and they have been widely implicated in various cancers. Antagonism of WDR5 and MLL subunit interaction by small molecules has recently been presented as a practical way to inhibit activity of the MLL1 complex, and N-(2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-5-substituted-phenyl) benzamides were reported as potent and selective antagonists of such an interaction. Here, we describe the protein crystal structure guided optimization of prototypic compound 2 (K dis = 7 μM), leading to identification of more potent antagonist 47 (K dis = 0.3 μM).

Bending Rigid Molecular Rods: Formation of Oligoproline Macrocycles

Bent but not broken: cyclic oligoprolines are accessed in a reaction that effectively bends rigid oligoproline peptides (see scheme; TBDMS=tert-butyldimethylsilyl). The stitching is accomplished during macrocyclization enabled by aziridine aldehydes and isocyanides. Molecular modeling studies suggest that electrostatic attraction between the termini of the linear peptide is pivotal for macrocyclization. The macrocycles were studied by circular dichroism with a polyproline II structure being observed in larger macrocycles.

New developments in hydrogen bonding acidity and basicity of small organic molecules for the prediction of physical and ADMET properties. Part 2. The universal solvation equation.

Theoretical quantifications of hydrogen bonding (HB) basicities and acidities, originally developed for aliphatic systems (J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci. 2004, 44, 1042-1055), are now extended to cover aromatic, heterocyclic, anionic, cationic and zwitter-ionic molecular fragments, thus encompassing a majority of druggable chemical space. The addition of terms accounting for cavity formation, polarity, hydrophobicity, and resonance allowed us to derive a new equation able to predict accurately free energies of solvation of diverse solutes, interphase transfers, and aqueous solubilities (log S(w)). We thus provide a universal solvation equation (USE) available for the accurate estimation of desolvation energies in protein-ligand docking, for the prediction of many physical and ADMET properties, and for studying fluid phase equilibria.

Promising Aedes aegypti Repellent Chemotypes Identified through Integrated QSAR, Virtual Screening, Synthesis, and Bioassay

Molecular field topology analysis, scaffold hopping, and molecular docking were used as complementary computational tools for the design of repellents for Aedes aegypti, the insect vector for yellow fever, chikungunya, and dengue fever. A large number of analogues were evaluated by virtual screening with Glide molecular docking software. This produced several dozen hits that were either synthesized or procured from commercial sources. Analysis of these compounds by a repellent bioassay resulted in a few highly active chemicals (in terms of minimum effective dosage) as viable candidates for further hit-to-lead and lead optimization effort.

Abstract 4989: Selective inhibitors of the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 kinase domain

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, ILnnInositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) is a key player in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress conditions. IRE1 is a highly conserved ER-membrane protein activated by the unfolded protein response (UPR) or other ER-stressors, such as hypoxia and glucose deprivation. Stress causes IRE1 to undergo oligomerization and autophosphorylation, which triggers nonconventional splicing of XBP-1 mRNA by its cytosolic endonuclease domain. The resulting spliced XBP-1 protein (XBP-1s) is a transcription factor that serves to increase the protein folding capacity and ultimately restore homeostasis of the ER. Thus, sustained IRE1 activity promotes cell survival and inhibition of IRE1 may be a potential therapeutic target for diseases associated with chronic ER-stress, such as neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and cancer. Proper RNase function of IRE1 is dependent upon autophosphorylation of the kinase domain. We therefore screened a library of 380 known kinase inhibitors, consisting of tool compounds and compounds already in clinical use, for those with activity against the human IRE1 kinase domain. As a result, a number of compounds were found that potently inhibit phosphorylation of a biotin-STK peptide substrate in the presence of human IRE1 (IC50 < 1 μM), as determined by HTRF (homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence). The lead compounds were then screened in cell-based assays. Several ATP-mimetic compounds with diverse chemotypes were found to inhibit expression of XBP-1s in human cancer cells under pharmacologically-induced acute ER-stress. Furthermore, transcriptional targets of XBP-1s and phosphorylation of IRE1 were also negatively affected by these compounds. Interestingly one compound in particular, a known ROCK1 (Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1) inhibitor (OICR000287A), was significantly more toxic to cells under acute ER-stress than to unstressed cells. This study suggests that development of ATP-competitive inhibitors of human IRE1 is a promising therapeutic strategy for ER-stress related diseases including myeloma, pancreatic and other secretory cancers.nnCitation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4989. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4989