I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Krishna
Sharma
,
Alexander V.
Strizhak
,
Elaine
Fowler
,
Xuelu
Wang
,
Wenshu
Xu
,
Claus
Hatt Jensen
,
Yuteng
Wu
,
Hannah F.
Sore
,
Yu Heng
Lau
,
Marko
Hyvonen
,
Laura S.
Itzhaki
,
David R.
Spring
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[14043]
Abstract: The Sondheimer dialkyne is extensively used in double strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloadditions. This reagent suffers with poor water-solubility and rapidly decomposes in aqueous solutions. This intrinsically limits its application in biological systems, and no effective solutions are currently available. Herein, we report the development of novel highly water-soluble, stable, and azide-reactive strained dialkyne reagents. To demonstrate their extensive utility, we applied our novel dialkynes to a double strain-promoted macrocyclisation strategy to generate functionalised p53-based stapled peptides for inhibiting the oncogenic p53-MDM2 interaction. These functionalised stapled peptides bind MDM2 with low nanomolar affinity and show p53 activation in a cellular environment. Overall, our highly soluble, stable and azide-reactive dialkynes offer significant advantages over the currently used Sondheimer dialkyne, and could be utilised for numerous biological applications.
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Aug 2019
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Abstract: Exploitation of synthetic lethality by small-molecule targeting of pathways that maintain genomic stability is an attractive chemotherapeutic approach. The Ctf4/AND-1 protein hub that links DNA replication, repair and chromosome segregation, represents a novel target for the synthetic lethality approach. Here we report the design, optimization, and validation of double-click stapled peptides encoding the Ctf4-interacting peptide (CIP) of the replicative helicase subunit Sld5. Screening stapling positions in the Sld5 CIP, we identified an unorthodox i,i+6 stapled peptide with improved, sub-micromolar binding to Ctf4. The mode of interaction with Ctf4 was confirmed by a crystal structure of the stapled Sld5 peptide bound to Ctf4. The stapled Sld5 peptide was able to displace the Ctf4-partner DNA polymerase alpha from the replisome in yeast extracts. Our study provides proof-of-principle evidence for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of the human-CTF4 orthologue AND-1.
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Aug 2017
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Open Access
Abstract: The transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β (HNF1β) is ubiquitously overexpressed in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and is a potential therapeutic target. To explore potential approaches that block HNF1β transcription we have identified and characterised extensively the nuclear localisation signal (NLS) for HNF1β and its interactions with the nuclear protein import receptor, Importin-α. Pull-down assays demonstrated that the DNA binding domain of HNF1β interacted with a spectrum of Importin-α isoforms and deletion constructs tagged with eGFP confirmed that the HNF1β 229KKMRRNR235 sequence was essential for nuclear localisation. We further characterised the interaction between the NLS and Importin-α using complementary biophysical techniques and have determined the 2.4 Å resolution crystal structure of the HNF1β NLS peptide bound to Importin-α. The functional, biochemical, and structural characterisation of the nuclear localisation signal present on HNF1β and its interaction with the nuclear import protein Importin-α provide the basis for the development of compounds targeting transcription factor HNF1β via its nuclear import pathway.
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Sep 2016
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[14043]
Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen recognized as a critical threat by the World Health Organization because of the dwindling number of effective therapies available to treat infections. Over the past decade, it has become apparent that the glyoxylate shunt plays a vital role in sustaining P. aeruginosa during infection scenarios. The glyoxylate shunt comprises two enzymes: isocitrate lyase and malate synthase isoform G. Inactivation of these enzymes has been reported to abolish the ability of P. aeruginosa to establish infection in a mammalian model system, yet we still lack the structural information to support drug design efforts. In this work, we describe the first X-ray crystal structure of P. aeruginosa malate synthase G in the apo form at 1.62 Å resolution. The enzyme is a monomer composed of four domains and is highly conserved with homologues found in other clinically relevant microorganisms. It is also dependent on Mg2+ for catalysis. Metal ion binding led to a change in the intrinsic fluorescence of the protein, allowing us to quantitate its affinity for Mg2+. We also identified putative drug binding sites in malate synthase G using computational analysis and, because of the high resolution of the experimental data, were further able to characterize its hydration properties. Our data reveal two promising binding pockets in malate synthase G that may be exploited for drug design.
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Oct 2017
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I02-Macromolecular Crystallography
I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
I04-1-Macromolecular Crystallography (fixed wavelength)
I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[9007, 9537, 14043]
Open Access
Abstract: The development of selective inhibitors of protein kinases is challenging because of the significant conservation of the ATP binding site. Here, we describe a new mechanism by which the protein kinase CK2α can be selectively inhibited using features outside the ATP site. We have identified a new binding site for small molecules on CK2α adjacent to the ATP site and behind the αD loop, termed the αD pocket. An elaborated fragment anchored in this site has been linked with a low affinity fragment binding in the ATP site, creating a novel and selective inhibitor (CAM4066) that binds CK2α with a Kd of 320 nM and shows significantly improved selectivity compared to other CK2α inhibitors. CAM4066 shows target engagement in several cell lines and similar potency to clinical trial candidate CX4945. Our data demonstrate that targeting a poorly conserved, cryptic pocket allows inhibition of CK2α via a novel mechanism, enabling the development of a new generation of selective CK2α inhibitors.
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Jul 2016
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I02-Macromolecular Crystallography
I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[9537, 9007]
Open Access
Abstract: CK2 is a critical cell cycle regulator that also promotes various anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Development of ATP-non-competitive inhibitors of CK2 is a very attractive strategy considering that the ATP binding site is highly conserved among other kinases. We have previously utilised a pocket outside the active site to develop a novel CK2 inhibitor, CAM4066. Whilst CAM4066 bound to this new pocket it was also interacting with the ATP site: herein, we describe an example of a CK2α inhibitor that binds completely outside the active site. This second generation αD-site binding inhibitor, compound CAM4712 (IC50 = 7 μM, GI50 = 10.0 ± 3.6 μM), has numerous advantages over the previously reported CAM4066, including a reduction in the number of rotatable bonds, the absence of amide groups susceptible to the action of proteases and improved cellular permeability. Unlike with CAM4066, there was no need to facilitate cellular uptake by making a prodrug. Moreover, CAM4712 displayed no drop off between its ability to inhibit the kinase in vitro (IC50) and the ability to inhibit cell proliferation (GI50).
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Feb 2018
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I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[9537]
Abstract: Increased CK2 levels are prevalent in many cancers. Combined with the critical role CK2 plays in many cell-signaling pathways, this makes it a prime target for down regulation to fight tumour growth. Herein, we report a fragment-based approach to inhibiting the interaction between CK2α and CK2β at the α-β interface of the holoenzyme. A fragment, CAM187, with an IC50 of 44 μM and a molecular weight of only 257 gmol−1 has been identified as the most promising compound. Importantly, the lead fragment only bound at the interface and was not observed in the ATP binding site of the protein when co-crystallised with CK2α. The fragment-like molecules discovered in this study represent unique scaffolds to CK2 inhibition and leave room for further optimisation.
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May 2018
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I04-1-Macromolecular Crystallography (fixed wavelength)
I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography
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Abstract: We report a double-click macrocyclization approach for the constraint of peptide inhibitors in non-helical or extended conformations. Our targets are the tankyrase proteins (TNKS), poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases that regulate Wnt signaling by targeting Axin for degradation. TNKS are deregulated in many different cancer types, and inhibition of TNKS therefore represents an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, the clinical development of TNKS-specific PARP inhibitors is challenging due to off-target effects and cellular toxicity. Here we designed a new class of specific peptide inhibitors directed against the substrate-recognition domain of TNKS, which is unique amongst PARP family members. We employed a two-component strategy, allowing the peptide and the linker to be separately engineered and then assembled in a combinatorial fashion via click chemistry. Using the consensus substrate-peptide sequence as a starting point, we optimized the length and rigidity of the linker as well as its position along the peptide. Optimization was further guided by high-resolution crystal structures of two of the macrocyclized peptides in complex with TNKS. In this way we identified peptides with sub-micromolar affinities for TNKS and having high proteolytic stability. We show that these peptides are able to disrupt the interaction between TNKS and Axin substrate and to inhibit Wnt signaling in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the macrocylized peptides represent a promising starting point for a new class of substrate-competitive inhibitors of TNKS with potential for suppressing Wnt signaling in cancer. Moreover, by demonstrating the application of the double-click macrocyclization approach to non-helical, extended or irregular structured peptides we greatly extend its potential and scope, especially given the frequency with which such motifs mediate protein-protein interactions.
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Jan 2017
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I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Krishna
Sharma
,
Alexander V.
Strizhak
,
Elaine
Fowler
,
Wenshu
Xu
,
Ben
Chappell
,
Hannah F.
Sore
,
Warren R. J. D.
Galloway
,
Matthew N.
Grayson
,
Yu Heng
Lau
,
Laura S.
Itzhaki
,
David R.
Spring
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[14043]
Open Access
Abstract: The Sondheimer dialkyne reagent has previously been employed in strain-promoted double-click cycloadditions with bis-azide peptides to generate stapled peptide inhibitors of protein–protein interactions. The substituted variants of the Sondheimer dialkyne can be used to generate functionalized stapled peptide inhibitors with improved biological properties; however, this remains a relatively underdeveloped field. Herein, we report the synthesis of new substituted variants of Sondheimer dialkyne and their application in the stapling of p53-based diazido peptides to generate potent stapled peptide-based inhibitors of the oncogenic p53-MDM2 interaction. The functionalized stapled peptide formed from a meta-fluoro-substituted Sondheimer dialkyne was found to be the most potent inhibitor. Furthermore, through experimental studies and density functional theory calculations, we investigated the impact of the substituent on the strain-promoted double-click reactivity of Sondheimer dialkyne.
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Jan 2020
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I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[18548]
Open Access
Abstract: The discovery of new Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) modulators is currently limited by the difficulties associated with the design and synthesis of selective small molecule inhibitors. Peptides are a potential solution for disrupting PPIs; however, they typically suffer from poor stability in vivo and limited tissue penetration hampering their wide spread use as new chemical biology tools and potential therapeutics. In this work, a combination of CuAAC chemistry, molecular modelling, X-ray crystallography, and biological validation allowed us to develop highly functionalised peptide PPI inhibitors of the protein CK2. The lead peptide, CAM7117, prevents the formation of the holoenzyme assembly in vitro, slows down proliferation, induces apoptosis in cancer cells and is stable in human serum. CAM7117 could aid the development of novel CK2 inhibitors acting at the interface and help to fully understand the intracellular pathways involving CK2. Importantly, the approach adopted herein could be applied to many PPI targets and has the potential to ease the study of PPIs by efficiently providing access to functionalised peptides.
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Apr 2019
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