scholarly journals Dynamics of human protein kinases linked to drug selectivity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warintra Pitsawong ◽  
Vanessa Buosi ◽  
Renee Otten ◽  
Roman V. Agafonov ◽  
Adelajda Zorba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Dynamics ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Inhibition Mechanism ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Drug Selectivity

AbstractProtein kinases are major drug targets, but the development of highly-selective inhibitors has been challenging due to the similarity of their active sites. The observation of distinct structural states of the fully-conserved Asp-Phe-Gly (DFG) loop has put the concept of conformational selection for the DFG-state at the center of kinase drug discovery. Recently, it was shown that Gleevec selectivity for the Tyr-kinases Abl was instead rooted in conformational changes after drug binding. Here, we investigate whether protein dynamics after binding is a more general paradigm for drug selectivity by characterizing the binding of several approved drugs to the Ser/Thr-kinase Aurora A. Using a combination of biophysical techniques, we propose a universal drug-binding mechanism, that rationalizes selectivity, affinity and long on-target residence time for kinase inhibitors. These new concepts, where protein dynamics in the drug-bound state plays the crucial role, can be applied to inhibitor design of targets outside the kinome.eLife digestThe Ser/Thr kinase Aurora A is an important target for the development of new anticancer therapies. A longstanding question is how to specifically and effectively inhibit only this kinase in a background of over 550 protein kinases with very similar structures. To this end, understanding the inhibition mechanism of Aurora A by different drugs is essential. Here, we characterize the kinetic mechanism of three distinct kinase drugs, Gleevec (Imatinib), Danusertib (PHA739358) and AT9283 (Pyrazol-4-yl Urea) for Aurora A. We show that inhibitor affinities do not rely exclusively on the recognition of a specific conformation of the Asp-Phe-Gly loop of the kinase. Our quantitative kinetics data put forward an opposing mechanism in which a slow conformational change after drug binding (i.e., induced-fit step) dictates drug affinity.

scholarly journals Dynamics of human protein kinase Aurora A linked to drug selectivity

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warintra Pitsawong ◽  
Vanessa Buosi ◽  
Renee Otten ◽  
Roman V Agafonov ◽  
Adelajda Zorba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Dynamics ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Bound State ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Drug Selectivity ◽  
Approved Drugs

Protein kinases are major drug targets, but the development of highly-selective inhibitors has been challenging due to the similarity of their active sites. The observation of distinct structural states of the fully-conserved Asp-Phe-Gly (DFG) loop has put the concept of conformational selection for the DFG-state at the center of kinase drug discovery. Recently, it was shown that Gleevec selectivity for the Tyr-kinase Abl was instead rooted in conformational changes after drug binding. Here, we investigate whether protein dynamics after binding is a more general paradigm for drug selectivity by characterizing the binding of several approved drugs to the Ser/Thr-kinase Aurora A. Using a combination of biophysical techniques, we propose a universal drug-binding mechanism, that rationalizes selectivity, affinity and long on-target residence time for kinase inhibitors. These new concepts, where protein dynamics in the drug-bound state plays the crucial role, can be applied to inhibitor design of targets outside the kinome.

scholarly journals Insights into the binding mode of MEK type-III inhibitors. A step towards discovering and designing allosteric kinase inhibitors across the human kinome

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Zhao ◽  
Lei Xie ◽  
Philip E. Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Allosteric Inhibitors ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Human Kinome

AbstractProtein kinases are critical drug targets for treating a large variety of human diseases. Type-I and type-II kinase inhibitors frequently exhibit off-target toxicity or lead to mutation acquired resistance. Two highly specific allosteric type-III MEK-targeted drugs, Trametinib and Cobimetinib, offer a new approach. Thus, understanding the binding mechanism of existing type-III kinase inhibitors will provide insights for designing new type-III kinase inhibitors. In this work we have systematically studied the binding mode of MEK-targeted type-III inhibitors using structural systems pharmacology and molecular dynamics simulation. Our studies provide detailed sequence, structure, interaction-fingerprint, pharmacophore and binding-site information on the binding characteristics of MEK type-III kinase inhibitors. We propose that the helix-folding activation loop is a hallmark allosteric binding site for type-III inhibitors. Subsequently we screened and predicted allosteric binding sites across the human kinome, suggesting other kinases as potential targets suitable for type-III inhibitors. Our findings will provide new insights into the design of potent and selective kinases inhibitors.Author SummaryHuman protein kinases represent a large protein family relevant to many diseases, especially cancers, and have become important drug targets. However, developing the desired selective kinase-targeted inhibitors remain challenging. Kinase allosteric inhibitors provide that opportunity, but, to date, few have been designed other than MEK inhibitors. To more efficiently develop kinase allosteric inhibitors, we systematically studied the binding mode of the MEK type-III allosteric kinase inhibitors using structural system pharmacology and molecular dynamics approaches. New insights into the binding mode and mechanism of type-III inhibitors were revealed that may facilitate the design of new prospective type-III kinase inhibitors.

scholarly journals Basis for drug selectivity of plasmepsin IX and X inhibition for Plasmodium falciparum and vivax

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony N. Hodder ◽  
Stephen Scally ◽  
Tony Triglia ◽  
Anna Ngo ◽  
Richard W. Birkinshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Dual Inhibitor ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Protein Substrates ◽  
Binding Cleft ◽  
Parasite Egress

Abstract Plasmepsin IX (PMIX) and X (PMX) are aspartyl proteases of Plasmodium spp. that play essential roles in parasite egress, invasion and development. Consequently, they are important drug targets for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. WM4 and WM382 are potent inhibitors of PMIX and PMX that block invasion of liver and blood stages and transmission to mosquitoes. WM4 specifically inhibits PMX whilst WM382 is a dual inhibitor of PMIX and PMX. To understand the function of PMIX and PMX proteases we identified new protein substrates in P. falciparum and together with detailed kinetic analyses and structural analyses identified key molecular interactions in the active site responsible for the specificity of WM4 and WM382 inhibition. The crystal structures of PMX apo enzyme and the protease/drug complexes of PMX/WM382 and PMX/WM4 for P. falciparum and P. vivax have been solved. We show PMIX and PMX have similar substrate selectivity, however, there are distinct differences for both peptide and full-length protein substrates through differences in localised 3-dimensional structures for the enzyme substrate-binding cleft and substrate interface. The differences in affinities of WM4 and WM382 binding for PMIX and PMX map to variations in surface interactions with each protease in the S' region of the active sites. Crystal structures of PMX reveal interactions and mechanistic detail on the selectivity of drug binding which will be important for further development of clinical candidates against these important molecular targets.

scholarly journals Cryo-EM structure of a dimeric B-Raf:14-3-3 complex reveals asymmetry in the active sites of B-Raf kinases

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 366 (6461) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Kondo ◽  
Jana Ognjenović ◽  
Saikat Banerjee ◽  
Deepti Karandur ◽  
Alan Merk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Distal Segment ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Terminal Segment ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Active Conformation ◽  
Raf Kinase ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy

Raf kinases are important cancer drug targets. Paradoxically, many B-Raf inhibitors induce the activation of Raf kinases. Cryo–electron microscopy structural analysis of a phosphorylated B-Raf kinase domain dimer in complex with dimeric 14-3-3, at a resolution of ~3.9 angstroms, shows an asymmetric arrangement in which one kinase is in a canonical “active” conformation. The distal segment of the C-terminal tail of this kinase interacts with, and blocks, the active site of the cognate kinase in this asymmetric arrangement. Deletion of the C-terminal segment reduces Raf activity. The unexpected asymmetric quaternary architecture illustrates how the paradoxical activation of Raf by kinase inhibitors reflects an innate mechanism, with 14-3-3 facilitating inhibition of one kinase while maintaining activity of the other. Conformational modulation of these contacts may provide new opportunities for Raf inhibitor development.

scholarly journals Extending native mass spectrometry approaches to integral membrane proteins

2015 ◽  
Vol 396 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 991-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Konijnenberg ◽  
Jeroen F. van Dyck ◽  
Lyn L. Kailing ◽  
Frank Sobott
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Native Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Lipid Binding ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Integral Membrane Proteins ◽  
Oligomeric State

Abstract Recent developments in native mass spectrometry and ion mobility have made it possible to analyze the composition and structure of membrane protein complexes in the gas-phase. In this short review we discuss the experimental strategies that allow to elucidate aspects of the dynamic structure of these important drug targets, such as the structural effects of lipid binding or detection of co-populated conformational and assembly states during gating on an ion channel. As native mass spectrometry relies on nano-electrospray of natively reconstituted proteins, a number of commonly used lipid- and detergent-based reconstitution systems have been evaluated for their compatibility with this approach, and parameters for the release of intact, native-like folded membrane proteins studied in the gas-phase. The strategy thus developed can be employed for the investigation of the subunit composition and stoichiometry, oligomeric state, conformational changes, and lipid and drug binding of integral membrane proteins.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation, Mg-ADP, and Inhibitors Differentially Shape the Conformational Dynamics of the A-Loop of Aurora-A

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 567
Author(s):  
Zahra Musavizadeh ◽  
Alessandro Grottesi ◽  
Giulia Guarguaglini ◽  
Alessandro Paiardini
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
General Description ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
The Stability

The conformational state of the activation loop (A-loop) is pivotal for the activity of most protein kinases. Hence, the characterization of the conformational dynamics of the A-loop is important to increase our understanding of the molecular processes related to diseases and to support the discovery of small molecule kinase inhibitors. Here, we carry out a combination of molecular dynamics (MD) and essential dynamics (ED) analyses to fully map the effects of phosphorylation, ADP, and conformation disrupting (CD) inhibitors (i.e., CD532 and MLN8054) on the dynamics of the A-loop of Aurora-A. MD revealed that the stability of the A-loop in an open conformation is enhanced by single phospho-Thr-288, while paradoxically, the presence of a second phosphorylation at Thr-287 decreases such stability and renders the A-loop more fluctuant in time and space. Moreover, we found that this post-translational modification has a significant effect on the direction of the A-loop motions. ED analysis suggests that the presence of the phosphate moiety induces the dynamics of Aurora-A to sample two distinct energy minima, instead of a single large minimum, as in unphosphorylated Aurora-A states. This observation indicates that the conformational distributions of Aurora-A with both single and double phospho-threonine modifications are remarkably different from the unphosphorylated state. In the closed states, binding of CD532 and MLN8054 inhibitors has the effect of increasing the distance of the N- and C-lobes of the kinase domain of Aurora-A, and the angle analysis between those two lobes during MD simulations showed that the N- and C-lobes are kept more open in presence of CD532, compared to MLN8054. As the A-loop is a common feature of Aurora protein kinases, our studies provide a general description of the conformational dynamics of this structure upon phosphorylation and different ligands binding.

scholarly journals Basis for drug selectivity of plasmepsin IX and X inhibition for Plasmodium falciparum and vivax

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Cowman ◽  
Anthony Hodder ◽  
Janni Christensen ◽  
Stephen Scally ◽  
Tony Triglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Drug Binding ◽  
Dual Inhibitor ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Protein Substrates ◽  
Binding Cleft ◽  
Parasite Egress

Abstract Plasmepsin IX (PMIX) and X (PMX) are aspartyl proteases of Plasmodium spp. that play essential roles in parasite egress, invasion and development. Consequently, they are important drug targets for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. WM4 and WM382 are potent inhibitors of PMIX and PMX that block invasion of liver and blood stages and transmission to mosquitoes. WM4 specifically inhibits PMX whilst WM382 is a dual inhibitor of PMIX and PMX. To understand the function of PMIX and PMX proteases we identified new protein substrates in P. falciparum and together with detailed kinetic analyses and structural analyses identified key molecular interactions in the active site responsible for the specificity of WM4 and WM382 inhibition. The crystal structures of PMX apo enzyme and the protease/drug complexes of PMX/WM382 and PMX/WM4 for P. falciparum and P. vivax have been solved. We show PMIX and PMX have similar substrate selectivity, however, there are distinct differences for both peptide and full-length protein substrates through differences in localised 3-dimensional structures for the enzyme substrate-binding cleft and substrate interface. The differences in affinities of WM4 and WM382 binding for PMIX and PMX map to variations in surface interactions with each protease in the S' region of the active sites. Crystal structures of PMX reveal interactions and mechanistic detail on the selectivity of drug binding which will be important for further development of clinical candidates against these important molecular targets.

scholarly journals Crystal structures of human MGST2 reveal synchronized conformational changes regulating catalysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhuranayaki Thulasingam ◽  
Laura Orellana ◽  
Emmanuel Nji ◽  
Shabbir Ahmad ◽  
Agnes Rinaldo-Matthis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Oxidative Dna Damage ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Concerted Mechanism ◽  
Related Drug ◽  
Stress Oxidative ◽  
And Control

AbstractMicrosomal glutathione S-transferase 2 (MGST2) produces leukotriene C4, key for intracrine signaling of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative DNA damage and cell death. MGST2 trimer restricts catalysis to only one out of three active sites at a time, but the molecular basis is unknown. Here, we present crystal structures of human MGST2 combined with biochemical and computational evidence for a concerted mechanism, involving local unfolding coupled to global conformational changes that regulate catalysis. Furthermore, synchronized changes in the biconical central pore modulate the hydrophobicity and control solvent influx to optimize reaction conditions at the active site. These unique mechanistic insights pertain to other, structurally related, drug targets.

scholarly journals Calcium-dependent Protein Kinases in Malaria Parasite Development and Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 096368971988488 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Ghartey-Kwansah ◽  
Qinan Yin ◽  
Zhongguang Li ◽  
Kristyn Gumpper ◽  
Yuting Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
Artemisinin Derivatives ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases

Apicomplexan parasites have challenged researchers for nearly a century. A major challenge to developing efficient treatments and vaccines is the parasite’s ability to change its cellular and molecular makeup to develop intracellular and extracellular niches in its hosts. Ca2+ signaling is an important messenger for the egress of the malaria parasite from the infected erythrocyte, gametogenesis, ookinete motility in the mosquito, and sporozoite invasion of mammalian hepatocytes. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) have crucial functions in calcium signaling at various stages of the parasite’s life cycle; this therefore makes them attractive drug targets against malaria. Here, we summarize the functions of the various CDPK isoforms in relation to the malaria life cycle by emphasizing the molecular mechanism of developmental progression within host tissues. We also discuss the current development of anti-malarial drugs, such as how specific bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) for parasite CDPKs have been shown to reduce infection in Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Plasmodium falciparum. Our suggested combinations of BKIs, artemisinin derivatives with peroxide bridge, and inhibitors on the Ca(2+)-ATPase PfATP6 as a potential target should be inspected further as a treatment against malaria.

Crystal structure of an Aurora-A mutant that mimics Aurora-B bound to MLN8054: insights into selectivity and drug design

2010 ◽  
Vol 427 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte A. Dodson ◽  
Magda Kosmopoulou ◽  
Mark W. Richards ◽  
Butrus Atrash ◽  
Vassilios Bavetsias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Site ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Protein Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Point Mutant

The production of selective protein kinase inhibitors is often frustrated by the similarity of the enzyme active sites. For this reason, it is challenging to design inhibitors that discriminate between the three Aurora kinases, which are important targets in cancer drug discovery. We have used a triple-point mutant of Aurora-A (AurAx3) which mimics the active site of Aurora-B to investigate the structural basis of MLN8054 selectivity. The bias toward Aurora-A inhibition by MLN8054 is fully recapitulated by AurAx3in vitro. X-ray crystal structures of the complex suggest that the basis for the discrimination is electrostatic repulsion due to the T217E substitution, which we have confirmed using a single-point mutant. The activation loop of Aurora-A in the AurAx3–MLN8054 complex exhibits an unusual conformation in which Asp274 and Phe275 side chains point into the interior of the protein. There is to our knowledge no documented precedent for this conformation, which we have termed DFG-up. The sequence requirements of the DFG-up conformation suggest that it might be accessible to only a fraction of kinases. MLN8054 thus circumvents the problem of highly homologous active sites. Binding of MLN8054 to Aurora-A switches the character of a pocket within the active site from polar to a hydrophobic pocket, similar to what is observed in the structure of Aurora-A bound to a compound that induces DFG-out. We propose that targeting this pocket may be a productive route in the design of selective kinase inhibitors and describe the structural basis for the rational design of these compounds.

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