Characterisation of a novel KRAS G12C inhibitor ASP2453 that shows potent anti-tumour activity in KRAS G12C-mutated preclinical models.

BACKGROUND: KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in various cancers, and several novel KRAS G12C direct inhibitors are now in clinical trials. Here, we characterised the anti-tumour efficacy of ASP2453, a novel KRAS G12C inhibitor, in preclinical models of KRAS G12C-mutated cancer. METHODS: We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo activity of ASP2453, alone or in combination with targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors, in KRAS G12C-mutated cancer cells and xenograft models. We also assessed pharmacological differences between ASP2453 and AMG 510, another KRAS G12C inhibitor, using an SPR assay, washout experiments and an AMG 510-resistant xenograft model. RESULTS: ASP2453 potently and selectively inhibited KRAS G12C-mediated growth, KRAS activation and downstream signalling in vitro and in vivo, and improved the anti-tumour effects of targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Further, ASP2453 had more rapid binding kinetics to KRAS G12C protein and showed more potent inhibitory effects on KRAS activation and cell proliferation after washout than AMG 510. ASP2453 also induced tumour regression in an AMG 510-resistant xenograft model. CONCLUSIONS: ASP2453 is a potential therapeutic agent for KRAS G12C-mutated cancer. ASP2453 showed efficacy in AMG 510-resistant tumours, even among compounds with the same mode of action.

Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3/NF110 is a target of YM155, a suppressant of survivin.

Survivin is responsible for cancer progression and drug resistance in many types of cancer. YM155 selectively suppresses the expression of survivin and induces apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism underlying these effects of YM155 is unknown. Here, we show that a transcription factor, interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3)/NF110, is a direct binding target of YM155. The enhanced survivin promoter activity by overexpression of ILF3/NF110 was attenuated by YM155 in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that ILF3/NF110 is the physiological target through which YM155 mediates survivin suppression. The results also show that the unique C-terminal region of ILF3/NF110 is important for promoting survivin expression and for high affinity binding to YM155.

Sepantronium bromide (YM155) induces disruption of the ILF3/p54(nrb) complex, which is required for survivin expression.

YM155, a small-molecule survivin suppressant, specifically binds to the transcription factor ILF3, which regulates the expression of survivin[1]. In this experiment we have demonstrated that p54(nrb) binds to the survivin promoter and regulates survivin expression. p54(nrb) forms a complex with ILF3, which directly binds to YM155. YM155 induces disruption of the ILF3/p54(nrb) complex, which results in a different subcellular localization between ILF3 and p54(nrb). Thus, identification of molecular targets of YM155 in suppression of the survivin pathway, might lead to development of its use as a novel potential target in cancers.

Identification and relative quantitation of an orphan G-protein coupled receptor SREB2 (GPR85) protein in tissue using a linear ion trap mass spectrometer.

SREB2 (GPR85) is an orphan G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) whose function is unknown. We previously prepared a SREB2-overexpressing transgenic mouse for functional analysis but were unable to confirm SREB2 protein expression level by immunochemical or biochemical methods. In this article, we report mass spectrometric identification and relative quantitative analysis of SREB2 in the forebrains of transgenic and wild type mice using nanoliquid chromatography coupled with a linear ion-trap mass spectrometer. By analyzing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells overexpressing the SREB2 gene, we identified a proteotypic SREB2 peptide, GPTPPTLLGIR. Using a stable isotope-labeled analog as an authentic peptide for protein identification and as an internal control for relative quantitation, SREB2 was directly identified from the membrane fraction of forebrains from wild type and SREB2 transgenic mice. SREB2 protein expression level in the transgenic mouse was estimated to be 3-fold higher than that in the wild type littermate.

Combination of MS protein identification and bioassay of chromatographic fractions to identify biologically active substances from complex protein sources.

Purification of biologically active proteins from complex biological sources is a difficult task, usually requiring large amounts of sample and many separation steps. We found an active substance in a serum response element-dependent luciferase reporter gene bioassay in interstitial cystitis urine that we attempted to purify with column chromatography and the bioassay. With anion-exchange Mono Q and C4 reversed-phase columns, apparently sharp active peaks were obtained. However, more than 20 kinds of proteins were identified from the active fractions with MS, indicating that the purification was not complete. As further purification was difficult, we chose a candidate molecule by means of studying the correlation between MS protein identification scores and bioassay responses of chromatographic fractions near the active peaks. As a result, epidermal growth factor (EGF) was nominated as a candidate molecule among the identified proteins because the elution profile of EGF was consistent with that of the bioassay, and the correlation coefficient of EGF between MS protein identification scores and bioassay responses was the highest among all the identified proteins. With recombinant EGF and anti-EGF and anti-EGF receptor antibodies, EGF was confirmed to be the desired substance in interstitial cystitis urine. This approach required only 20 ml of urine sample and two column chromatographic steps. The combination of MS protein identification and bioassay of chromatographic fractions may be useful for identifying biologically active substances from complex protein sources.

The evolutionarily conserved G protein-coupled receptor SREB2/GPR85 influences brain size, behavior, and vulnerability to schizophrenia.

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family is highly diversified and involved in many forms of information processing. SREB2 (GPR85) is the most conserved GPCR throughout vertebrate evolution and is expressed abundantly in brain structures exhibiting high levels of plasticity, e.g., the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Here, we show that SREB2 is involved in determining brain size, modulating diverse behaviors, and potentially in vulnerability to schizophrenia. Mild overexpression of SREB2 caused significant brain weight reduction and ventricular enlargement in transgenic (Tg) mice as well as behavioral abnormalities mirroring psychiatric disorders, e.g., decreased social interaction, abnormal sensorimotor gating, and impaired memory. SREB2 KO mice showed a reciprocal phenotype, a significant increase in brain weight accompanying a trend toward enhanced memory without apparent other behavioral abnormalities. In both Tg and KO mice, no gross malformation of brain structures was observed. Because of phenotypic overlap between SREB2 Tg mice and schizophrenia, we sought a possible link between the two. Minor alleles of two SREB2 SNPs, located in intron 2 and in the 3' UTR, were overtransmitted to schizophrenia patients in a family-based sample and showed an allele load association with reduced hippocampal gray matter volume in patients. Our data implicate SREB2 as a potential risk factor for psychiatric disorders and its pathway as a target for psychiatric therapy.

Mutant-Selective Irreversible EGFR Inhibitor, Naquotinib, Inhibits Tumor Growth in NSCLC Models with EGFR-Activating Mutations, T790M Mutation, and AXL Overexpression.

First- and second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are effective clinical therapies for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR-activating mutations. However, almost all patients develop resistance to these drugs. The EGFR T790M mutation of EGFR is the most predominant mechanism for resistance. In addition, activation of AXL signaling is one of the suggested alternative bypassing pathways for resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Here, we report that naquotinib, a pyrazine carboxamide-based EGFR-TKI, inhibited EGFR with activating mutations, as well as T790M resistance mutation while sparing wild-type (WT) EGFR. In in vivo murine xenograft models using cell lines and a patient-derived xenograft model, naquotinib induced tumor regression of NSCLC with EGFR-activating mutations with or without T790M resistance mutation, whereas it did not significantly inhibit WT EGFR signaling in skin. Furthermore, naquotinib suppressed tumor recurrence during the treatment period of 90 days. In addition, unlike erlotinib and osimertinib, naquotinib inhibited the phosphorylation of AXL and showed antitumor activity against PC-9 cells overexpressing AXL in vitro and in vivo Our findings suggest that naquotinib has therapeutic potential in patients with NSCLC with EGFR-activating mutations, T790M resistance mutation, and AXL overexpression.

Inhibition of c-Rel DNA binding is critical for the anti-inflammatory effects of novel PIKfyve inhibitor.

Aberrant production of proinflammatory cytokines is linked to many autoimmune diseases, and their inhibition by small molecule compounds is considered beneficial. Here, we performed phenotypic screening in IFNγ/LPS-activated RAW264.7, mouse macrophage cells, and discovered AS2677131 and AS2795440 as novel and potent inhibitors of IL-12p40, a subunit of IL-23. Interestingly, these compounds exhibited unique pharmacological activities in their inhibition of the production of IL-12p40, IL-6 and IL-1ß but not TNFα in activated macrophages or dendritic cells, and expression of IgM-induced MHC class II on B cells. To reveal these mechanisms, we synthesized two different activity probes which were structurally related to the AS compounds, and identified probe-specific binding proteins, including PIKfyve, a Class III PI kinase. The AS compounds inhibited PIKfyve activity and mimicked the properties of PIKfyve-deficient cells, eventually validating PIKfyve as target molecule. Regarding mechanism, AS2677131 regulated DNA binding activity of c-Rel on IL-12p40 and IL-1ß promoter. As expected, a PIKfyve inhibitor prevented the development of arthritis in rats. Taken together, our findings of the novel and potent PIKfyve inhibitors AS2677131 and AS2795440 reveal the critical role of PIKfyve in proinflammatory cytokine production and B cell activation, and may indicate a potential new therapeutic option for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Absence of increased alpha1-microglobulin in IgA nephropathy proteinuria.

To search for biomarkers of IgA nephropathy, protein profiles of urine samples from patients with IgA nephropathy and normal volunteers were compared using two-dimensional DIGE. Most of the 172 spots identified in the urine were serum proteins, and their amounts in IgA nephropathy urine were much higher than those in normal urine; this can be explained as proteinuria caused by glomerular dysfunction. However, only alpha(1)-microglobulin, also one of the major serum proteins, in IgA nephropathy urine was not higher in amount than that in normal urine. We confirmed using ELISA analysis that the amounts of transferrin and albumin in IgA nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy urine were much higher than those in normal urine, whereas the amount of alpha(1)-microglobulin in IgA nephropathy urine was not higher than that in normal urine and was much lower than that in diabetic nephropathy urine. Approximately 50% of alpha(1)-microglobulin forms a complex with IgA in serum. These results suggest that alpha(1)-microglobulin in IgA nephropathy urine is a characteristic protein and might be a biomarker for IgA nephropathy and that alpha(1)-microglobulin might have a relationship with IgA nephropathy pathology.