Wendy A. Lea

Microscale thermophoresis quantifies biomolecular interactions under previously challenging conditions

Microscale thermophoresis (MST) allows for quantitative analysis of protein interactions in free solution and with low sample consumption. The technique is based on thermophoresis, the directed motion of molecules in temperature gradients. Thermophoresis is highly sensitive to all types of binding-induced changes of molecular properties, be it in size, charge, hydration shell or conformation. In an all-optical approach, an infrared laser is used for local heating, and molecule mobility in the temperature gradient is analyzed via fluorescence. In standard MST one binding partner is fluorescently labeled. However, MST can also be performed label-free by exploiting intrinsic protein UV-fluorescence. Despite the high molecular weight ratio, the interaction of small molecules and peptides with proteins is readily accessible by MST. Furthermore, MST assays are highly adaptable to fit to the diverse requirements of different biomolecules, such as membrane proteins to be stabilized in solution. The type of buffer and additives can be chosen freely. Measuring is even possible in complex bioliquids like cell lysate allowing close to in vivo conditions without sample purification. Binding modes that are quantifiable via MST include dimerization, cooperativity and competition. Thus, its flexibility in assay design qualifies MST for analysis of biomolecular interactions in complex experimental settings, which we herein demonstrate by addressing typically challenging types of binding events from various fields of life science.

Fluorescence Polarization Assays in Small Molecule Screening

Importance of the field: Fluorescence polarization (FP) is a homogeneous method that allows rapid and quantitative analysis of diverse molecular interactions and enzyme activities. This technique has been widely utilized in clinical and biomedical settings, including the diagnosis of certain diseases and monitoring therapeutic drug levels in body fluids. Recent developments in the field have been symbolized by the facile adoption of FP in high-throughput screening and small molecule drug discovery of an increasing range of target classes. Areas covered in this review: The article provides a brief overview of the theoretical foundation of FP, followed by updates on recent advancements in its application for various drug target classes, including GPCRs, enzymes and protein–protein interactions. The strengths and weaknesses of this method, practical considerations in assay design, novel applications and future directions are also discussed. What the reader will gain: The reader is informed of the most recent advancements and future directions of FP application to small molecule screening. Take home message: In addition to its continued utilization in high-throughput screening, FP has expanded into new disease and target areas and has been marked by increased use of labeled small molecule ligands for receptor-binding studies.

Molecular basis for the high-affinity binding and stabilization of firefly luciferase by PTC124

Firefly luciferase (FLuc), an ATP-dependent bioluminescent reporter enzyme, is broadly used in chemical biology and drug discovery assays. PTC124 (Ataluren; (3-[5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]benzoic acid) discovered in an FLuc-based assay targeting nonsense codon suppression, is an unusually potent FLuc-inhibitor. Paradoxically, PTC124 and related analogs increase cellular FLuc activity levels by posttranslational stabilization. In this study, we show that FLuc inhibition and stabilization is the result of an inhibitory product formed during the FLuc-catalyzed reaction between its natural substrate, ATP, and PTC124. A 2.0 Å cocrystal structure revealed the inhibitor to be the acyl-AMP mixed-anhydride adduct PTC124-AMP, which was subsequently synthesized and shown to be a high-affinity multisubstrate adduct inhibitor (MAI; KD = 120 pM) of FLuc. Biochemical assays, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and near-attack conformer modeling demonstrate that formation of this novel MAI is absolutely dependent upon the precise positioning and reactivity of a key meta-carboxylate of PTC124 within the FLuc active site. We also demonstrate that the inhibitory activity of PTC124-AMP is relieved by free coenzyme A, a component present at high concentrations in luciferase detection reagents used for cell-based assays. This explains why PTC124 can appear to increase, instead of inhibit, FLuc activity in cell-based reporter gene assays. To our knowledge, this is an unusual example in which the “off-target” effect of a small molecule is mediated by an MAI mechanism.

Discovery, structure-activity relationship, and biological evaluation of noninhibitory small molecule chaperones of glucocerebrosidase.

A major challenge in the field of Gaucher disease has been the development of new therapeutic strategies including molecular chaperones. All previously described chaperones of glucocerebrosidase are enzyme inhibitors, which complicates their clinical development because their chaperone activity must be balanced against the functional inhibition of the enzyme. Using a novel high throughput screening methodology, we identified a chemical series that does not inhibit the enzyme but can still facilitate its translocation to the lysosome as measured by immunostaining of glucocerebrosidase in patient fibroblasts. These compounds provide the basis for the development of a novel approach toward small molecule treatment for patients with Gaucher disease.

Firefly Luciferase in Chemical Biology: A Compendium of Inhibitors, Mechanistic Evaluation of Chemotypes, and Suggested Use As a Reporter

Firefly luciferase (FLuc) is frequently used as a reporter in high-throughput screening assays, owing to the exceptional sensitivity, dynamic range, and rapid measurement that bioluminescence affords. However, interaction of small molecules with FLuc has, to some extent, confounded its use in chemical biology and drug discovery. To identify and characterize chemotypes interacting with FLuc, we determined potency values for 360,864 compounds found in the NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository, available in PubChem. FLuc inhibitory activity was observed for 12% of this library with discernible SAR. Characterization of 151 inhibitors demonstrated a variety of inhibition modes, including FLuc-catalyzed formation of multisubstrate adduct enzyme inhibitor complexes. As in some cell-based FLuc reporter assays, compounds acting as FLuc inhibitors yield paradoxical luminescence increases, thus data on compounds acquired from FLuc-dependent assays require careful analysis as described here.

Identification of phosphotyrosine mimetic inhibitors of Human Tyrosyl-DNA Phosphodiesterase I by a novel AlphaScreen high- throughput assay

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase I (Tdp1) resolves topoisomerase I (Top1)-DNA adducts accumulated from natural DNA damage as well as from the action of certain anticancer drugs. Tdp1 catalyzes the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond between the catalytic tyrosine residue of topoisomerase I and the DNA 3′-phosphate. Only a limited number of weak inhibitors have been reported for Tdp1, and there is an unmet need to identify novel chemotypes through screening of chemical libraries. Herein, we present an easily configured, highly miniaturized, and robust Tdp1 assay using the AlphaScreen technology. Uninhibited enzyme reaction is associated with low signal, whereas inhibition leads to a gain of signal, making the present assay format especially attractive for automated large-collection high-throughput screening. We report the identification and initial characterization of four previously unreported inhibitors of Tdp1. Among them, suramin, NF449, and methyl-3,4-dephostatin are phosphotyrosine mimetics that may act as Tdp1 substrate decoys. We also report a novel biochemical assay using the SCAN1 Tdp1 mutant to study the mechanism of action of methyl-3,4-dephostatin. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(1):240–8]

Structure Mechanism Insights and the Role of Nitric Oxide Donation Guide the Development of Oxadiazole-2-Oxides as Therapeutic Agents against Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease affecting hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. Current treatment depends on a single agent, praziquantel, raising concerns of emergence of resistant parasites. Here, we continue our explorations of an oxadiazole-2-oxide class of compounds we recently identified as inhibitors of thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR), a selenocysteine-containing flavoenzyme required by the parasite to maintain proper cellular redox balance. Through systematic evaluation of the core molecular structure of this chemotype, we define the essential pharmacophore, establish a link between the nitric oxide donation and TGR inhibition, determine the selectivity for this chemotype versus related reductase enzymes, and present evidence that these agents can be modified to possess appropriate drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties. The mechanistic link between exogenous NO donation and parasite injury is expanded and better defined. The results of these studies verify the utility of oxadiazole-2-oxides as novel inhibitors of TGR and as efficacious antischistosomal agents.

Evaluation of quinazoline analogues as glucocerebrosidase inhibitors with chaperone activity.

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GC). Small molecule chaperones of protein folding and translocation have been proposed as a promising therapeutic approach to this LSD. Most small molecule chaperones described in the literature contain an iminosugar scaffold. Here we present the discovery and evaluation of a new series of GC inhibitors with a quinazoline core. We demonstrate that this series can improve the translocation of GC to the lysosome in patient-derived cells. To optimize this chemical series, systematic synthetic modifications were performed and the SAR was evaluated and compared using three different readouts of compound activity: enzymatic inhibition, enzyme thermostabilization, and lysosomal translocation of GC.

Biochemical, Cellular and Biophysical Characterization of a Potent Inhibitor of Mutant Isocitrate Dehydrogenase IDH1

Background: IDH1 R132H, implicated in glioblastoma and AML, produces the oncometabolite 2-HG. Results: A detailed binding mechanism of a small molecule inhibitor (ML309) is proposed. Conclusion: ML309 competes with α-KG but is uncompetitive with NADPH and rapidly and reversibly affects cellular 2-HG levels. Significance: Understanding IDH1 R132H inhibition sets the stage for targeting IDH1 R132H for the treatment of cancer. Two mutant forms (R132H and R132C) of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) have been associated with a number of cancers including glioblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia. These mutations confer a neomorphic activity of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) production, and 2-HG has previously been implicated as an oncometabolite. Inhibitors of mutant IDH1 can potentially be used to treat these diseases. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of action of a newly discovered inhibitor, ML309, using biochemical, cellular, and biophysical approaches. Substrate binding and product inhibition studies helped to further elucidate the IDH1 R132H catalytic cycle. This rapidly equilibrating inhibitor is active in both biochemical and cellular assays. The (+) isomer is active (IC50 = 68 nm), whereas the (−) isomer is over 400-fold less active (IC50 = 29 μm) for IDH1 R132H inhibition. IDH1 R132C was similarly inhibited by (+)-ML309. WT IDH1 was largely unaffected by (+)-ML309 (IC50 >36 μm). Kinetic analyses combined with microscale thermophoresis and surface plasmon resonance indicate that this reversible inhibitor binds to IDH1 R132H competitively with respect to α-ketoglutarate and uncompetitively with respect to NADPH. A reaction scheme for IDH1 R132H inhibition by ML309 is proposed in which ML309 binds to IDH1 R132H after formation of the IDH1 R132H NADPH complex. ML309 was also able to inhibit 2-HG production in a glioblastoma cell line (IC50 = 250 nm) and had minimal cytotoxicity. In the presence of racemic ML309, 2-HG levels drop rapidly. This drop was sustained until 48 h, at which point the compound was washed out and 2-HG levels recovered.

Allosteric Inhibitors of the Eya2 Phosphatase Are Selective and Inhibit Eya2-mediated Cell Migration

Background: The phosphatase activity of Eya is important for transformation, invasion, migration, and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Results: A class of N-arylidenebenzohydrazide compounds specifically inhibits the phosphatase activity of Eya2 but not Eya3. Conclusion: This class of compounds likely acts through an allosteric mechanism. Significance: These inhibitors may be developed into chemical probes or anti-cancer drugs. Eya proteins are essential co-activators of the Six family of transcription factors and contain a unique tyrosine phosphatase domain belonging to the haloacid dehalogenase family of phosphatases. The phosphatase activity of Eya is important for the transcription of a subset of Six1-target genes, and also directs cells to the repair rather than apoptosis pathway upon DNA damage. Furthermore, Eya phosphatase activity has been shown to mediate transformation, invasion, migration, and metastasis of breast cancer cells, making it a potential new drug target for breast cancer. We have previously identified a class of N-arylidenebenzohydrazide compounds that specifically inhibit the Eya2 phosphatase. Herein, we demonstrate that these compounds are reversible inhibitors that selectively inhibit the phosphatase activity of Eya2, but not Eya3. Our mutagenesis results suggest that this class of compounds does not bind to the active site and the binding does not require the coordination with Mg2+. Moreover, these compounds likely bind within a site on the opposite face of the active site, and function as allosteric inhibitors. We also demonstrate that this class of compounds inhibits Eya2 phosphatase-mediated cell migration, setting the foundation for these molecules to be developed into chemical probes for understanding the specific function of the Eya2 phosphatase and to serve as a prototype for the development of Eya2 phosphatase specific anti-cancer drugs.