Structural Insights into Molecular Recognition by Human Chemokine CCL19.

The human chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 bind to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) CCR7 and play an important role in the trafficking of immune cells as well as cancer metastasis. Conserved binding sites for sulfotyrosine residues on the receptor contribute significantly to the chemokine/GPCR interaction and have been shown to provide promising targets for new drug-discovery efforts to disrupt the chemokine/GPCR interaction and, consequently, tumor metastasis. Here, we report the first X-ray crystal structure of a truncated CCL19 (residues 7-70) at 2.50 Å resolution, revealing molecular details crucial for protein-protein interactions. Although the overall structure is similar to the previously determined NMR model, there are important variations, particularly near the N terminus and the so-called 30's and 40's loops. Computational analysis using the FTMap server indicates the potential importance of these areas in ligand binding and the differences in binding hotspots compared to CCL21. NMR titration experiments using a CCR7-derived peptide (residues 5-11, TDDYIGD) further demonstrate potential receptor recognition sites, such as those near the C terminus and 40's loop, which consist of both positively charged and hydrophobic residues that may be important for receptor binding. Taken together, the X-ray, NMR, and computational analysis herein provide insights into the overall structure and molecular features of CCL19 and enables investigation into this chemokine's function and inhibitor development.

Streptomyces wadayamensis MppP is a PLP-Dependent Oxidase, Not an Oxygenase.

The PLP-dependent l-arginine hydroxylase/deaminase MppP from Streptomyces wadayamensis (SwMppP) is involved in the biosynthesis of l-enduracididine, a nonproteinogenic amino acid found in several nonribosomally produced peptide antibiotics. SwMppP uses only PLP and molecular oxygen to catalyze a 4-electron oxidation of l-arginine to form a mixture of 2-oxo-4(S)-hydroxy-5-guanidinovaleric acid and 2-oxo-5-guanidinovaleric acid. Steady-state kinetics analysis in the presence and absence of catalase shows that one molecule of peroxide is formed for every molecule of dioxygen consumed in the reaction. Moreover, for each molecule of 2-oxo-4(S)-hydroxy-5-guanidinovaleric acid produced, two molecules of dioxygen are consumed, suggesting that both the 4-hydroxy and 2-keto groups are derived from water. This was confirmed by running the reactions using either [18]O2 or H2[18]O and analyzing the products by ESI-MS. Incorporation of [18]O was only observed when the reaction was performed in H2[18]O. Crystal structures of SwMppP with l-arginine, 2-oxo-4(S)-hydroxy-5-guanidinovaleric acid, or 2-oxo-5-guanidinovaleric acid bound were determined at resolutions of 2.2, 1.9. and 1.8 Å, respectively. The structural data show that the N-terminal portion of the protein is disordered unless substrate or product is bound in the active site, in which case it forms a well-ordered helix that covers the catalytic center. This observation suggested that the N-terminal helix may have a role in substrate binding and/or catalysis. Our structural and kinetic characterizations of N-terminal variants show that the N-terminus is critical for catalysis. In light of this new information, we have refined our previously proposed mechanism of the SwMppP-catalyzed oxidation of l-arginine.

Selective and Cell-Active PBRM1 Bromodomain Inhibitors Discovered through NMR Fragment Screening.

PBRM1 is a subunit of the PBAF chromatin remodeling complex that uniquely contains six bromodomains. PBRM1 can operate as a tumor suppressor or tumor promoter. PBRM1 is a tumor promoter in prostate cancer, contributing to migratory and immunosuppressive phenotypes. Selective chemical probes targeting PBRM1 bromodomains are desired to elucidate the association between aberrant PBRM1 chromatin binding and cancer pathogenesis and the contributions of PBRM1 to immunotherapy. Previous PBRM1 inhibitors unselectively bind SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 bromodomains with nanomolar potency. We used our protein-detected NMR screening pipeline to screen 1968 fragments against the second PBRM1 bromodomain, identifying 17 hits with Kd values from 45 µM to >2 mM. Structure-activity relationship studies on the tightest-binding hit resulted in nanomolar inhibitors with selectivity for PBRM1 over SMARCA2 and SMARCA4. These chemical probes inhibit the association of full-length PBRM1 to acetylated histone peptides and selectively inhibit growth of a PBRM1-dependent prostate cancer cell line.

Trisubstituted 1,3,5-Triazines: The First Ligands of the sY12-Binding Pocket on Chemokine CXCL12.

CXCL12, a CXC-type chemokine, binds its receptor CXCR4, and the resulting signaling cascade is essential during development and subsequently in immune function. Pathologically, the CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling axis is involved in many cancers and inflammatory diseases and thus has sparked continued interest in the development of therapeutics. Small molecules targeting CXCR4 have had mixed results in clinical trials. Alternatively, small molecules targeting the chemokine instead of the receptor provide a largely unexplored space for therapeutic development. Here we report that trisubstituted 1,3,5-triazines are competent ligands for the sY12-binding pocket of CXCL12. The initial hit was optimized to be more synthetically tractable. Fifty unique triazines were synthesized, and the structure-activity relationship was probed. Using computational modeling, we suggest key structural interactions that are responsible for ligand-chemokine binding. The lipophilic ligand efficiency was improved, resulting in more soluble, drug-like molecules with chemical handles for future development and structural studies.