Cancer-associated DNA Hypermethylation of Polycomb Targets Requires DNMT3A Dual Recognition of Histone H2AK119 Ubiquitination and the Nucleosome Acidic Patch.

During tumor development, promoter CpG islands (CGIs) that are normally silenced by Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) become DNA hypermethylated. The molecular mechanism by which de novo DNA methyltransferase(s) catalyze CpG methylation at PRC-regulated regions remains unclear. Here we report a cryo-EM structure of the DNMT3A long isoform (DNMT3A1) N-terminal region in complex with a nucleosome carrying PRC1-mediated histone H2A lysine 119 monoubiquitination (H2AK119Ub). We identify regions within the DNMT3A1 N-terminus that bind H2AK119Ub and the nucleosome acidic patch. This bidentate interaction is required for effective DNMT3A1 engagement with H2AK119Ub-modified chromatin in cells. Furthermore, aberrant redistribution of DNMT3A1 to Polycomb target genes inhibits their transcriptional activation during cell differentiation and recapitulates the cancer-associated DNA hypermethylation signature. This effect is rescued by disruption of the DNMT3A1-acidic patch interaction. Together, our analyses reveal a binding interface critical for countering promoter CGI DNA hypermethylation, a major molecular hallmark of cancer.

Structural basis of histone H2A lysine 119 deubiquitination by Polycomb repressive deubiquitinase BAP1/ASXL1.

Histone H2A lysine 119 (H2AK119Ub) is monoubiquitinated by Polycomb repressive complex 1 and deubiquitinated by Polycomb repressive deubiquitinase complex (PR-DUB). PR-DUB cleaves H2AK119Ub to restrict focal H2AK119Ub at Polycomb target sites and to protect active genes from aberrant silencing. The PR-DUB subunits (BAP1 and ASXL1) are among the most frequently mutated epigenetic factors in human cancers. How PR-DUB establishes specificity for H2AK119Ub over other nucleosomal ubiquitination sites and how disease-associated mutations of the enzyme affect activity are unclear. Here, we determine a cryo-EM structure of human BAP1 and the ASXL1 DEUBAD in complex with a H2AK119Ub nucleosome. Our structural, biochemical, and cellular data reveal the molecular interactions of BAP1 and ASXL1 with histones and DNA that are critical for restructuring the nucleosome and thus establishing specificity for H2AK119Ub. These results further provide a molecular explanation for how >50 mutations in BAP1 and ASXL1 found in cancer can dysregulate H2AK119Ub deubiquitination, providing insight into understanding cancer etiology.

An acetylation-mediated chromatin switch governs H3K4 methylation read-write capability.

In nucleosomes, histone N-terminal tails exist in dynamic equilibrium between free/accessible and collapsed/DNA-bound states. The latter state is expected to impact histone N-termini availability to the epigenetic machinery. Notably, H3 tail acetylation (e.g. K9ac, K14ac, K18ac) is linked to increased H3K4me3 engagement by the BPTF PHD finger, but it is unknown if this mechanism has a broader extension. Here, we show that H3 tail acetylation promotes nucleosomal accessibility to other H3K4 methyl readers, and importantly, extends to H3K4 writers, notably methyltransferase MLL1. This regulation is not observed on peptide substrates yet occurs on the cis H3 tail, as determined with fully-defined heterotypic nucleosomes. In vivo, H3 tail acetylation is directly and dynamically coupled with cis H3K4 methylation levels. Together, these observations reveal an acetylation 'chromatin switch' on the H3 tail that modulates read-write accessibility in nucleosomes and resolves the long-standing question of why H3K4me3 levels are coupled with H3 acetylation.

Structural basis of histone H2A lysine 119 deubiquitination by Polycomb Repressive Deubiquitinase BAP1/ASXL1.

The maintenance of gene expression patterns during metazoan development is achieved by the actions of Polycomb group (PcG) complexes. An essential modification marking silenced genes is monoubiquitination of histone H2A lysine 119 (H2AK119Ub) deposited by the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of the non-canonical Polycomb Repressive Complex 1. The Polycomb Repressive Deubiquitinase (PR-DUB) complex cleaves monoubiquitin from histone H2A lysine 119 (H2AK119Ub) to restrict focal H2AK119Ub at Polycomb target sites and to protect active genes from aberrant silencing. BAP1 and ASXL1, subunits that form active PR-DUB, are among the most frequently mutated epigenetic factors in human cancers, underscoring their biological importance. How PR-DUB achieves specificity for H2AK119Ub to regulate Polycomb silencing is unknown, and the mechanisms of most of the mutations in BAP1 and ASXL1 found in cancer have not been established. Here we determine a cryo-EM structure of human BAP1 bound to the ASXL1 DEUBAD domain in complex with a H2AK119Ub nucleosome. Our structural, biochemical, and cellular data reveal the molecular interactions of BAP1 and ASXL1 with histones and DNA that are critical for remodeling the nucleosome and thus establishing specificity for H2AK119Ub. These results further provide a molecular explanation for how >50 mutations in BAP1 and ASXL1 found in cancer can dysregulate H2AK119Ub deubiquitination, providing new insight into understanding cancer etiology. One Sentence Summary: We reveal the molecular mechanism of nucleosomal H2AK119Ub deubiquitination by human BAP1/ASXL1.

Inhibition of Escherichia coli Lipoprotein Diacylglyceryl Transferase Is Insensitive to Resistance Caused by Deletion of Braun's Lipoprotein.

Lipoprotein diacylglyceryl transferase (Lgt) catalyzes the first step in the biogenesis of Gram-negative bacterial lipoproteins which play crucial roles in bacterial growth and pathogenesis. We demonstrate that Lgt depletion in a clinical uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain leads to permeabilization of the outer membrane and increased sensitivity to serum killing and antibiotics. Importantly, we identify G2824 as the first-described Lgt inhibitor that potently inhibits Lgt biochemical activity in vitro and is bactericidal against wild-type Acinetobacter baumannii and E. coli strains. While deletion of a gene encoding a major outer membrane lipoprotein, lpp, leads to rescue of bacterial growth after genetic depletion or pharmacologic inhibition of the downstream type II signal peptidase, LspA, no such rescue of growth is detected after Lgt depletion or treatment with G2824. Inhibition of Lgt does not lead to significant accumulation of peptidoglycan-linked Lpp in the inner membrane. Our data validate Lgt as a novel antibacterial target and suggest that, unlike downstream steps in lipoprotein biosynthesis and transport, inhibition of Lgt may not be sensitive to one of the most common resistance mechanisms that invalidate inhibitors of bacterial lipoprotein biosynthesis and transport. IMPORTANCE As the emerging threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria continues to increase, no new classes of antibiotics have been discovered in the last 50 years. While previous attempts to inhibit the lipoprotein biosynthetic (LspA) or transport (LolCDE) pathways have been made, most efforts have been hindered by the emergence of a common mechanism leading to resistance, namely, the deletion of the gene encoding a major Gram-negative outer membrane lipoprotein lpp. Our unexpected finding that inhibition of Lgt is not susceptible to lpp deletion-mediated resistance uncovers the complexity of bacterial lipoprotein biogenesis and the corresponding enzymes involved in this essential outer membrane biogenesis pathway and potentially points to new antibacterial targets in this pathway.

Unstable Mechanisms of Resistance to Inhibitors of Escherichia coli Lipoprotein Signal Peptidase.

Clinical development of antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action to kill pathogenic bacteria is challenging, in part, due to the inevitable emergence of resistance. A phenomenon of potential clinical importance that is broadly overlooked in preclinical development is heteroresistance, an often-unstable phenotype in which subpopulations of bacterial cells show decreased antibiotic susceptibility relative to the dominant population. Here, we describe a new globomycin analog, G0790, with potent activity against the Escherichia coli type II signal peptidase LspA and uncover two novel resistance mechanisms to G0790 in the clinical uropathogenic E. coli strain CFT073. Building on the previous finding that complete deletion of Lpp, the major Gram-negative outer membrane lipoprotein, leads to globomycin resistance, we also find that an unexpectedly modest decrease in Lpp levels mediated by insertion-based disruption of regulatory elements is sufficient to confer G0790 resistance and increase sensitivity to serum killing. In addition, we describe a heteroresistance phenotype mediated by genomic amplifications of lspA that result in increased LspA levels sufficient to overcome inhibition by G0790 in culture. These genomic amplifications are highly unstable and are lost after as few as two subcultures in the absence of G0790, which places amplification-containing resistant strains at high risk of being misclassified as susceptible by routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing. In summary, our study uncovers two vastly different mechanisms of resistance to LspA inhibitors in E. coli and emphasizes the importance of considering the potential impact of unstable and heterogenous phenotypes when developing antibiotics for clinical use.IMPORTANCE Despite increasing evidence suggesting that antibiotic heteroresistance can lead to treatment failure, the significance of this phenomena in the clinic is not well understood, because many clinical antibiotic susceptibility testing approaches lack the resolution needed to reliably classify heteroresistant strains. Here we present G0790, a new globomycin analog and potent inhibitor of the Escherichia coli type II signal peptidase LspA. We demonstrate that in addition to previously known mechanisms of resistance to LspA inhibitors, unstable genomic amplifications containing lspA can lead to modest yet biologically significant increases in LspA protein levels that confer a heteroresistance phenotype.

Optimization of globomycin analogs as novel gram-negative antibiotics.

Discovery of novel classes of Gram-negative antibiotics with activity against multi-drug resistant infections is a critical unmet need. As an essential member of the lipoprotein biosynthetic pathway, lipoprotein signal peptidase II (LspA) is an attractive target for antibacterial drug discovery, with the natural product inhibitor globomycin offering a modestly-active starting point. Informed by structure-based design, the globomycin depsipeptide was optimized to improve activity against E. coli. Backbone modifications, together with adjustment of physicochemical properties, afforded potent compounds with good in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles. Optimized compounds such as 51 (E. coli MIC 3.1 µM) and 61 (E. coli MIC 0.78 µM) demonstrate broad spectrum activity against gram-negative pathogens and may provide opportunities for future antibiotic discovery.

Structural insights into lipoprotein N-acylation by Escherichia coli apolipoprotein N-acyltransferase.

Gram-negative bacteria express a diverse array of lipoproteins that are essential for various aspects of cell growth and virulence, including nutrient uptake, signal transduction, adhesion, conjugation, sporulation, and outer membrane protein folding. Lipoprotein maturation requires the sequential activity of three enzymes that are embedded in the cytoplasmic membrane. First, phosphatidylglycerol:prolipoprotein diacylglyceryl transferase (Lgt) recognizes a conserved lipobox motif within the prolipoprotein signal sequence and catalyzes the addition of diacylglycerol to an invariant cysteine. The signal sequence is then cleaved by signal peptidase II (LspA) to give an N-terminal S-diacylglyceryl cysteine. Finally, apolipoprotein N-acyltransferase (Lnt) catalyzes the transfer of the sn-1-acyl chain of phosphatidylethanolamine to this N-terminal cysteine, generating a mature, triacylated lipoprotein. Although structural studies of Lgt and LspA have yielded significant mechanistic insights into this essential biosynthetic pathway, the structure of Lnt has remained elusive. Here, we present crystal structures of wild-type and an active-site mutant of Escherichia coli Lnt. The structures reveal a monomeric eight-transmembrane helix fold that supports a periplasmic carbon-nitrogen hydrolase domain containing a Cys-Glu-Lys catalytic triad. Two lipids are bound at the active site in the structures, and we propose a putative phosphate recognition site where a chloride ion is coordinated near the active site. Based on these structures and complementary cell-based, biochemical, and molecular dynamics approaches, we propose a mechanism for substrate engagement and catalysis by E. coli Lnt.

Highly potent and selective 3-N-methylquinazoline-4(3H)-one based inhibitors of B-Raf(V600E) kinase.

Herein we describe the design of a novel series of ATP competitive B-Raf inhibitors via structure-based methods. These 3-N-methylquinazoline-4(3H)-one based inhibitors exhibit both excellent cellular potency and striking B-Raf selectivity. Optimization led to the identification of compound 16, a potent, selective and orally available agent with excellent pharmacokinetic properties and robust tumor growth inhibition in xenograft studies. Our work also demonstrates that by replacing an aryl amide with an aryl sulfonamide, a multikinase inhibitor such as AZ-628, can be converted to a selective B-Raf inhibitor, a finding that should have broad application in kinase drug discovery.

Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine inhibitors of B-Raf kinase.

This Letter details the synthesis and evaluation of imidazo[4,5-b]pyridines as inhibitors of B-Raf kinase. These compounds bind in a DFG-in, αC-helix out conformation of B-Raf, which is a binding mode associated with significant kinase selectivity. Structure-activity relationship studies involved optimization of the ATP-cleft binding region of these molecules, and led to compound 23, an inhibitor with excellent enzyme/cell potency, and kinase selectivity.

Discovery and preclinical pharmacology of a selective ATP-competitive Akt inhibitor (GDC-0068) for the treatment of human tumors.

The discovery and optimization of a series of 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidine compounds that are ATP-competitive, selective inhibitors of protein kinase B/Akt is reported. The initial design and optimization was guided by the use of X-ray structures of inhibitors in complex with Akt1 and the closely related protein kinase A. The resulting compounds demonstrate potent inhibition of all three Akt isoforms in biochemical assays and poor inhibition of other members of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase/protein kinase G/protein kinase C extended family and block the phosphorylation of multiple downstream targets of Akt in human cancer cell lines. Biological studies with one such compound, 28 (GDC-0068), demonstrate good oral exposure resulting in dose-dependent pharmacodynamic effects on downstream biomarkers and a robust antitumor response in xenograft models in which the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway is activated. 28 is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer.

Pyrazolopyridine inhibitors of B-Raf(V600E). Part 4: rational design and kinase selectivity profile of cell potent type II inhibitors.

Cell potent inhibitors of B-Raf(V600E) that bind to the kinase in the DFG-out conformation are reported. These compounds utilize the hinge-binding group and lipophilic linker from a previously disclosed series of B-Raf(V600E) inhibitors that bind to the kinase in an atypical DFG-in, αC-helix-out conformation. This new series demonstrates that DFG-out kinase inhibitors can be rationally designed from related inhibitors which utilize an unconventional binding mode. Kinase selectivity profiles are compared. The pattern of kinase selectivity was found to be determined by the feature of the inhibitor which extends into the back pocket of the kinase and leads to the kinase conformation, rather than by the hinge-binding group or other minor modifications.

An ATP-site on-off switch that restricts phosphatase accessibility of Akt.

The protein serine-threonine kinase Akt undergoes a substantial conformational change upon activation, which is induced by the phosphorylation of two critical regulatory residues, threonine 308 and serine 473. Paradoxically, treating cells with adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-competitive inhibitors of Akt results in increased phosphorylation of both residues. We show that binding of ATP-competitive inhibitors stabilized a conformation in which both phosphorylated sites were inaccessible to phosphatases. ATP binding also produced this protection of the phosphorylated sites, whereas interaction with its hydrolysis product adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) or allosteric Akt inhibitors resulted in increased accessibility of these phosphorylated residues. ATP-competitive inhibitors mimicked ATP by targeting active Akt. Forms of Akt activated by an oncogenic mutation or myristoylation were more potently inhibited by the ATP-competitive inhibitors than was wild-type Akt. These data support a new model of kinase regulation, wherein nucleotides modulate an on-off switch in Akt through conformational changes, which is disrupted by ATP-competitive inhibitors.

The discovery of potent and selective pyridopyrimidin-7-one based inhibitors of B-RafV600E kinase.

Herein we describe the discovery of a novel series of ATP competitive B-Raf inhibitors via structure based drug design (SBDD). These pyridopyrimidin-7-one based inhibitors exhibit both excellent cellular potency and striking B-Raf selectivity. Optimization led to the identification of compound 17, a potent, selective and orally available agent with excellent pharmacokinetic properties and robust tumor growth inhibition in xenograft studies.

Potent and selective aminopyrimidine-based B-Raf inhibitors with favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.

Recent clinical data provided proof-of-concept for selective B-Raf inhibitors in treatment of B-Raf(V600E) mutant melanoma. Pyrazolopyridine-type B-Raf inhibitors previously described by the authors are potent and selective but exhibit low solubility requiring the use of amorphous dispersion-based formulation for achieving efficacious drug exposures. Through structure-based design, we discovered a new class of highly potent aminopyrimidine-based B-Raf inhibitors with improved solubility and pharmacokinetic profiles. The hinge binding moiety possesses a basic center imparting high solubility at gastric pH, addressing the dissolution limitation observed with our previous series. In our search for an optimal linker-hinge binding moiety system, amide-linked thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine analogues 32 and 35 (G945), molecules with desirable physicochemical properties, emerged as lead compounds with strong efficacy in a B-Raf(V600E) mutant mouse xenograft model. Synthesis, SAR, lead selection, and evaluation of key compounds in animal studies will be described.

Pyrazolopyridine inhibitors of B-Raf(V600E). Part 3: an increase in aqueous solubility via the disruption of crystal packing.

A single crystal was obtained of a lead B-Raf(V600E) inhibitor with low aqueous solubility. The X-ray crystal structure revealed hydrogen-bonded head-to-tail dimers formed by the pyrazolopyridine and sulfonamide groups of a pair of molecules. This observation suggested a medicinal chemistry strategy to disrupt crystal packing and reduce the high crystal lattice energy of alternative inhibitors. Both a bulkier group at the interface of the dimer and an out-of-plane substituent were required to decrease the compound's melting point and increase aqueous solubility. These substituents were selected based on previously developed structure-activity relationships so as to concurrently maintain good enzymatic and cellular activity against B-Raf(V600E).

Potent and selective pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine based inhibitors of B-Raf(V600E) kinase with favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.

Herein we describe a novel series of ATP competitive B-Raf inhibitors based on the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine scaffold. These inhibitors exhibit both excellent cellular potency and striking B-Raf selectivity. Optimization led to the identification of compound 17, a potent, selective and orally available agent with improved physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.

Pyrazolopyridine inhibitors of B-RafV600E. Part 2: structure-activity relationships.

Structure-activity relationships around a novel series of B-Raf(V600E) inhibitors are reported. The enzymatic and cellular potencies of inhibitors derived from two related hinge-binding groups were compared and3-methoxypyrazolopyridine proved to be superior. The 3-alkoxy group of lead B-Raf(V600E) inhibitor 1 was extended and minimally affected potency. The propyl sulfonamide tail of compound 1, which occupies the small lipophilic pocket formed by an outward shift of the αC-helix, was expanded to a series of arylsulfonamides. X-ray crystallography revealed that this lipophilic pocket unexpectedly enlarges to accommodate the bulkier aryl group.

Discovery and SAR of spirochromane Akt inhibitors.

A novel series of spirochromane pan-Akt inhibitors is reported. SAR optimization furnished compounds with improved enzyme potencies and excellent selectivity over the related AGC kinase PKA. Attempted replacement of the phenol hinge binder provided compounds with excellent Akt enzyme and cell activities but greatly diminished selectivity over PKA.

Discovery of spirocyclic sulfonamides as potent Akt inhibitors with exquisite selectivity against PKA.

We describe the design and synthesis of novel bicyclic spiro sulfonamides as potent Akt inhibitors. Through structure-based rational design, we have successfully improved PKA selectivity of previously disclosed spirochromanes. Representative compounds showed favorable Akt potency while exhibiting up to 1000-fold selectivity against PKA.