Mutated KLF4(K409Q) in meningioma binds STRs and activates FGF3 gene expression.

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor that has been proven necessary for both induction and maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal. Whole-genome sequencing defined a unique mutation in KLF4 (KLF4K409Q) in human meningiomas. However, the molecular mechanism of this tumor-specific KLF4 mutation is unknown. Using genome-wide high-throughput and focused quantitative transcriptional approaches in human cell lines, primary meningeal cells, and meningioma tumor tissue, we found that a change in the evolutionarily conserved DNA-binding domain of KLF4 alters its DNA recognition preference, resulting in a shift in downstream transcriptional activity. In the KLF4K409Q-specific targets, the normally silent fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) is activated. We demonstrated a neomorphic function of KLF4K409Q in stimulating FGF3 transcription through binding to its promoter and in using short tandem repeats (STRs) located within the locus as enhancers.

Simulations of Promising Indolizidine-α6-ß2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Complexes.

Smoking-cessation drugs bind many off-target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and cause severe side effects if they are based on nicotine. New drugs that bind only those receptors, such as α6ß2* nAChR, implicated in nicotine addiction would avoid the off-target binding. Indolizidine (-)-237D (IND (-)-237D), a bicyclic alkaloid, has been shown to block α6ß2* containing nAChRs and functionally inhibit the nicotine-evoked dopamine release. To improve the affinity of indolizidine (-)-237D for α6ß2*, we built a library of 2226 analogs. We screened virtually the library against a homology model of α6ß2 nAChR that we derived from the recent crystal structure of α4ß2 nAChR. We also screened the crystal structure of α4ß2 nAChR as a control on specificity. We ranked the compounds based on their predicted free energy of binding. We selected the top eight compounds bound in their best pose and subjected the complexes to 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations to assess the stability of the complexes. All eight analogs formed stable complexes for the duration of the simulations. The results from this work highlight nine distinct analogs of IND (-)-237D with high affinity towards α6ß2* nAChR. These leads can be synthesized and tested in in vitro and in vivo studies as lead candidates for drugs to treat nicotine addiction.