Fluorescence anisotropy-based tethering for discovery of protein–protein interaction stabilizers

DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00646

Authors: Eline Sijbesma (Eindhoven University of Technology) , Bente A. Somsen (Eindhoven University of Technology) , Galen P. Miley (Eindhoven University of Technology) , Iris A. Leijten-Van De Gevel (Eindhoven University of Technology) , Luc Brunsveld (Eindhoven University of Technology) , Michelle R. Arkin (University of California, San Francisco) , Christian Ottmann (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Acs Chemical Biology

State: Published (Approved)
Published: November 2020

Abstract: Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks are fundamental for cellular processes. Small-molecule PPI enhancers have been shown to be powerful tools to fundamentally study PPIs and as starting points for potential new therapeutics. Yet, systematic approaches for their discovery are not widely available, and the design prerequisites of “molecular glues” are poorly understood. Covalent fragment-based screening can identify chemical starting points for these enhancers at specific sites in PPI interfaces. We recently reported a mass spectrometry-based disulfide-trapping (tethering) approach for a cysteine residue in the hub protein 14–3–3, an important regulator of phosphorylated client proteins. Here, we invert the strategy and report the development of a functional read-out for systematic identification of PPI enhancers based on fluorescence anisotropy (FA-tethering) with the reactive handle now on a client-derived peptide. Using the DNA-binding domain of the nuclear receptor Estrogen Related Receptor gamma (ERRγ), we target a native cysteine positioned at the 14–3–3 PPI interface and identify several fragments that form a disulfide bond to ERRγ and stabilize the complex up to 5-fold. Crystallography indicates that fragments bind in a pocket comprised of 14–3–3 and the ERRγ phosphopeptide. FA-tethering presents a streamlined methodology to discover molecular glues for protein complexes.

Journal Keywords: Disulfides; Peptides and proteins; Monomers; Magnetic properties; Stabilization

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Chemistry


Instruments: I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography

Added On: 23/11/2020 11:30

Documents:
acschembio.0c00646.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Biochemistry Chemistry Structural biology Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Diffraction Macromolecular Crystallography (MX)