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1.
Nat Immunol ; 23(7): 1031-1041, 2022 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35761082

RESUMO

The immune checkpoint receptor lymphocyte activation gene 3 protein (LAG3) inhibits T cell function upon binding to major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) or fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1). Despite the emergence of LAG3 as a target for next-generation immunotherapies, we have little information describing the molecular structure of the LAG3 protein or how it engages cellular ligands. Here we determined the structures of human and murine LAG3 ectodomains, revealing a dimeric assembly mediated by Ig domain 2. Epitope mapping indicates that a potent LAG3 antagonist antibody blocks interactions with MHC class II and FGL1 by binding to a flexible 'loop 2' region in LAG3 domain 1. We also defined the LAG3-FGL1 interface by mapping mutations onto structures of LAG3 and FGL1 and established that FGL1 cross-linking induces the formation of higher-order LAG3 oligomers. These insights can guide LAG3-based drug development and implicate ligand-mediated LAG3 clustering as a mechanism for disrupting T cell activation.


Assuntos
Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Ativação Linfocitária , Animais , Anticorpos , Fibrinogênio , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe II/metabolismo , Humanos , Imunoterapia , Ligantes , Camundongos , Receptores Imunológicos , Proteína do Gene 3 de Ativação de Linfócitos
2.
Cell ; 168(5): 878-889.e29, 2017 02 23.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28235199

RESUMO

Design of small molecules that disrupt protein-protein interactions, including the interaction of RAS proteins and their effectors, may provide chemical probes and therapeutic agents. We describe here the synthesis and testing of potential small-molecule pan-RAS ligands, which were designed to interact with adjacent sites on the surface of oncogenic KRAS. One compound, termed 3144, was found to bind to RAS proteins using microscale thermophoresis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and isothermal titration calorimetry and to exhibit lethality in cells partially dependent on expression of RAS proteins. This compound was metabolically stable in liver microsomes and displayed anti-tumor activity in xenograft mouse cancer models. These findings suggest that pan-RAS inhibition may be an effective therapeutic strategy for some cancers and that structure-based design of small molecules targeting multiple adjacent sites to create multivalent inhibitors may be effective for some proteins.


Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Animais , Antineoplásicos/química , Calorimetria , Linhagem Celular , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Xenoenxertos , Humanos , Camundongos , Transplante de Neoplasias , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/tratamento farmacológico , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras , Transdução de Sinais , Bibliotecas de Moléculas Pequenas
3.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 119(1)2022 01 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34983849

RESUMO

RAS is a signaling protein associated with the cell membrane that is mutated in up to 30% of human cancers. RAS signaling has been proposed to be regulated by dynamic heterogeneity of the cell membrane. Investigating such a mechanism requires near-atomistic detail at macroscopic temporal and spatial scales, which is not possible with conventional computational or experimental techniques. We demonstrate here a multiscale simulation infrastructure that uses machine learning to create a scale-bridging ensemble of over 100,000 simulations of active wild-type KRAS on a complex, asymmetric membrane. Initialized and validated with experimental data (including a new structure of active wild-type KRAS), these simulations represent a substantial advance in the ability to characterize RAS-membrane biology. We report distinctive patterns of local lipid composition that correlate with interfacially promiscuous RAS multimerization. These lipid fingerprints are coupled to RAS dynamics, predicted to influence effector binding, and therefore may be a mechanism for regulating cell signaling cascades.


Assuntos
Membrana Celular/enzimologia , Lipídeos/química , Aprendizado de Máquina , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Multimerização Proteica , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Transdução de Sinais , Humanos
4.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(39): 24258-24268, 2020 09 29.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32913056

RESUMO

The small GTPase KRAS is localized at the plasma membrane where it functions as a molecular switch, coupling extracellular growth factor stimulation to intracellular signaling networks. In this process, KRAS recruits effectors, such as RAF kinase, to the plasma membrane where they are activated by a series of complex molecular steps. Defining the membrane-bound state of KRAS is fundamental to understanding the activation of RAF kinase and in evaluating novel therapeutic opportunities for the inhibition of oncogenic KRAS-mediated signaling. We combined multiple biophysical measurements and computational methodologies to generate a consensus model for authentically processed, membrane-anchored KRAS. In contrast to the two membrane-proximal conformations previously reported, we identify a third significantly populated state using a combination of neutron reflectivity, fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP), and NMR. In this highly populated state, which we refer to as "membrane-distal" and estimate to comprise ∼90% of the ensemble, the G-domain does not directly contact the membrane but is tethered via its C-terminal hypervariable region and carboxymethylated farnesyl moiety, as shown by FPOP. Subsequent interaction of the RAF1 RAS binding domain with KRAS does not significantly change G-domain configurations on the membrane but affects their relative populations. Overall, our results are consistent with a directional fly-casting mechanism for KRAS, in which the membrane-distal state of the G-domain can effectively recruit RAF kinase from the cytoplasm for activation at the membrane.


Assuntos
Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Quinases raf/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular
5.
Biophys J ; 121(19): 3630-3650, 2022 10 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35778842

RESUMO

During the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, the RAS-binding domain (RBD) and cysteine-rich domain (CRD) of RAF bind to active RAS at the plasma membrane. The orientation of RAS at the membrane may be critical for formation of the RAS-RBDCRD complex and subsequent signaling. To explore how RAS membrane orientation relates to the protein dynamics within the RAS-RBDCRD complex, we perform multiscale coarse-grained and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of KRAS4b bound to the RBD and CRD domains of RAF-1, both in solution and anchored to a model plasma membrane. Solution MD simulations describe dynamic KRAS4b-CRD conformations, suggesting that the CRD has sufficient flexibility in this environment to substantially change its binding interface with KRAS4b. In contrast, when the ternary complex is anchored to the membrane, the mobility of the CRD relative to KRAS4b is restricted, resulting in fewer distinct KRAS4b-CRD conformations. These simulations implicate membrane orientations of the ternary complex that are consistent with NMR measurements. While a crystal structure-like conformation is observed in both solution and membrane simulations, a particular intermolecular rearrangement of the ternary complex is observed only when it is anchored to the membrane. This configuration emerges when the CRD hydrophobic loops are inserted into the membrane and helices α3-5 of KRAS4b are solvent exposed. This membrane-specific configuration is stabilized by KRAS4b-CRD contacts that are not observed in the crystal structure. These results suggest modulatory interplay between the CRD and plasma membrane that correlate with RAS/RAF complex structure and dynamics, and potentially influence subsequent steps in the activation of MAPK signaling.


Assuntos
Cisteína , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-raf , Sítios de Ligação , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Cisteína/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-raf/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-raf/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Solventes/metabolismo
6.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 116(44): 22122-22131, 2019 10 29.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31611389

RESUMO

KRAS mutations occur in ∼35% of colorectal cancers and promote tumor growth by constitutively activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. KRAS mutations at codons 12, 13, or 61 are thought to prevent GAP protein-stimulated GTP hydrolysis and render KRAS-mutated colorectal cancers unresponsive to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. We report here that KRAS G13-mutated cancer cells are frequently comutated with NF1 GAP but NF1 is rarely mutated in cancers with KRAS codon 12 or 61 mutations. Neurofibromin protein (encoded by the NF1 gene) hydrolyzes GTP directly in complex with KRAS G13D, and KRAS G13D-mutated cells can respond to EGFR inhibitors in a neurofibromin-dependent manner. Structures of the wild type and G13D mutant of KRAS in complex with neurofibromin (RasGAP domain) provide the structural basis for neurofibromin-mediated GTP hydrolysis. These results reveal that KRAS G13D is responsive to neurofibromin-stimulated hydrolysis and suggest that a subset of KRAS G13-mutated colorectal cancers that are neurofibromin-competent may respond to EGFR therapies.


Assuntos
Neoplasias Colorretais/genética , Receptores ErbB/antagonistas & inibidores , Guanosina Trifosfato/metabolismo , Neurofibromina 1/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Substituição de Aminoácidos , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Domínio Catalítico , Linhagem Celular , Neoplasias Colorretais/tratamento farmacológico , Proteínas Ativadoras de GTPase/metabolismo , Guanosina Trifosfato/química , Humanos , Hidrólise , Modelos Moleculares , Neurofibromina 1/metabolismo , Neurofibromina 1/fisiologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/uso terapêutico , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética
7.
Nature ; 518(7537): 120-4, 2015 Feb 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25383525

RESUMO

Biotin-dependent carboxylases are widely distributed in nature and have important functions in the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, cholesterol and other compounds. Defective mutations in several of these enzymes have been linked to serious metabolic diseases in humans, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase is a target for drug discovery in the treatment of diabetes, cancer and other diseases. Here we report the identification and biochemical, structural and functional characterizations of a novel single-chain (120 kDa), multi-domain biotin-dependent carboxylase in bacteria. It has preference for long-chain acyl-CoA substrates, although it is also active towards short-chain and medium-chain acyl-CoAs, and we have named it long-chain acyl-CoA carboxylase. The holoenzyme is a homo-hexamer with molecular mass of 720 kDa. The 3.0 Å crystal structure of the long-chain acyl-CoA carboxylase holoenzyme from Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis revealed an architecture that is strikingly different from those of related biotin-dependent carboxylases. In addition, the domains of each monomer have no direct contact with each other. They are instead extensively swapped in the holoenzyme, such that one cycle of catalysis involves the participation of four monomers. Functional studies in Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggest that the enzyme is involved in the utilization of selected carbon and nitrogen sources.


Assuntos
Carbono-Carbono Ligases/química , Carbono-Carbono Ligases/metabolismo , Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis/enzimologia , Acil Coenzima A/metabolismo , Biocatálise , Biotina/metabolismo , Carbono/metabolismo , Carbono-Carbono Ligases/ultraestrutura , Microscopia Crioeletrônica , Cristalografia por Raios X , Holoenzimas/química , Holoenzimas/metabolismo , Modelos Moleculares , Nitrogênio/metabolismo , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína , Subunidades Proteicas/química , Subunidades Proteicas/metabolismo , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/enzimologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genética , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolismo , Relação Estrutura-Atividade
8.
Biophys J ; 116(6): 1049-1063, 2019 03 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30846362

RESUMO

Deregulation of KRAS4b signaling pathway has been implicated in 30% of all cancers. Membrane localization of KRAS4b is an essential step for the initiation of the downstream signaling cascades that guide various cellular mechanisms. KRAS4b plasma membrane (PM) binding is mediated by the insertion of a prenylated moiety that is attached to the terminal carboxy-methylated cysteine, in addition to electrostatic interactions of its positively charged hypervariable region with anionic lipids. Calmodulin (CaM) has been suggested to selectively bind KRAS4b to act as a negative regulator of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway by displacing KRAS4b from the membrane. However, the mechanism by which CaM can recognize and displace KRAS4b from the membrane is not well understood. In this study, we employed biophysical and structural techniques to characterize this mechanism in detail. We show that KRAS4b prenylation is required for binding to CaM and that the hydrophobic pockets of CaM can accommodate the prenylated region of KRAS4b, which might represent a novel CaM-binding motif. Remarkably, prenylated KRAS4b forms a 2:1 stoichiometric complex with CaM in a nucleotide-independent manner. The interaction between prenylated KRAS4b and CaM is enthalpically driven, and electrostatic interactions also contribute to the formation of the complex. The prenylated KRAS4b terminal KSKTKC-farnesylation and carboxy-methylation is sufficient for binding and defines the minimal CaM-binding motif. This is the same region implicated in membrane and phosphodiesterase6-δ binding. Finally, we provide a structure-based docking model by which CaM binds to prenylated KRAS4b. Our data provide new insights into the KRAS4b-CaM interaction and suggest a possible mechanism whereby CaM can regulate KRAS4b membrane localization.


Assuntos
Calmodulina/metabolismo , Prenilação de Proteína , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Motivos de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Calmodulina/química , Humanos , Modelos Moleculares , Nucleotídeos/metabolismo , Ligação Proteica , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química
9.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 113(44): E6766-E6775, 2016 11 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27791178

RESUMO

Farnesylation and carboxymethylation of KRAS4b (Kirsten rat sarcoma isoform 4b) are essential for its interaction with the plasma membrane where KRAS-mediated signaling events occur. Phosphodiesterase-δ (PDEδ) binds to KRAS4b and plays an important role in targeting it to cellular membranes. We solved structures of human farnesylated-methylated KRAS4b in complex with PDEδ in two different crystal forms. In these structures, the interaction is driven by the C-terminal amino acids together with the farnesylated and methylated C185 of KRAS4b that binds tightly in the central hydrophobic pocket present in PDEδ. In crystal form II, we see the full-length structure of farnesylated-methylated KRAS4b, including the hypervariable region. Crystal form I reveals structural details of farnesylated-methylated KRAS4b binding to PDEδ, and crystal form II suggests the potential binding mode of geranylgeranylated-methylated KRAS4b to PDEδ. We identified a 5-aa-long sequence motif (Lys-Ser-Lys-Thr-Lys) in KRAS4b that may enable PDEδ to bind both forms of prenylated KRAS4b. Structure and sequence analysis of various prenylated proteins that have been previously tested for binding to PDEδ provides a rationale for why some prenylated proteins, such as KRAS4a, RalA, RalB, and Rac1, do not bind to PDEδ. Comparison of all four available structures of PDEδ complexed with various prenylated proteins/peptides shows the presence of additional interactions due to a larger protein-protein interaction interface in KRAS4b-PDEδ complex. This interface might be exploited for designing an inhibitor with minimal off-target effects.


Assuntos
3',5'-GMP Cíclico Fosfodiesterases/química , 3',5'-GMP Cíclico Fosfodiesterases/metabolismo , Domínios e Motivos de Interação entre Proteínas , Prenilação de Proteína/fisiologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , 3',5'-GMP Cíclico Fosfodiesterases/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sítios de Ligação , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Cristalografia por Raios X , Genes ras , Humanos , Metilação , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação Molecular , Mutação , Ligação Proteica/fisiologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Análise de Sequência , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Proteínas ral de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo
10.
Chemistry ; 24(42): 10646-10652, 2018 Jul 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29873848

RESUMO

High-relaxivity protein-complexes of GdIII are being pursued as MRI contrast agents in hope that they can be used at much lower doses that would minimize toxic-side effects of GdIII release from traditional contrast agents. We construct here a new type of protein-based MRI contrast agent, a proteinaceous cage based on a stable insulin hexamer in which GdIII is captured inside a water filled cavity. The macromolecular structure and the large number of "free" GdIII coordination sites available for water binding lead to exceptionally high relaxivities per one GdIII ion. The GdIII slowly diffuses out of this cage, but this diffusion can be prevented by addition of ligands that bind to the hexamer. The ligands that trigger structural changes in the hexamer, SCN- , Cl- and phenols, modulate relaxivities through an outside-in signaling that is allosterically transduced through the protein cage. Contrast-o-phores based on protein-caged metal ions have potential to become clinical contrast agents with environmentally-sensitive properties.


Assuntos
Gadolínio/química , Insulina/química , Íons/química , Água/química , Ligantes , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Estrutura Molecular
12.
Chembiochem ; 16(15): 2205-2215, 2015 Oct 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26350723

RESUMO

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that has been covalently inhibited by organophosphate compounds (OPCs), such as nerve agents and pesticides, has traditionally been reactivated by using nucleophilic oximes. There is, however, a clearly recognized need for new classes of compounds with the ability to reactivate inhibited AChE with improved in vivo efficacy. Here we describe our discovery of new functional groups--Mannich phenols and general bases--that are capable of reactivating OPC--inhibited AChE more efficiently than standard oximes and we describe the cooperative mechanism by which these functionalities are delivered to the active site. These discoveries, supported by preliminary in vivo results and crystallographic data, significantly broaden the available approaches for reactivation of AChE.


Assuntos
Acetilcolinesterase/metabolismo , Inibidores da Colinesterase/farmacologia , Descoberta de Drogas , Organofosfatos/farmacologia , Fenóis/química , Inibidores da Colinesterase/síntese química , Inibidores da Colinesterase/química , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Estrutura Molecular , Organofosfatos/síntese química , Organofosfatos/química , Relação Estrutura-Atividade
13.
Front Oncol ; 14: 1394702, 2024.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38841166

RESUMO

The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncoprotein homolog (KRAS) is currently a primary focus of oncologists and translational scientists, driven by exciting results with KRAS-targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. While KRAS mutations continue to drive high cancer diagnosis and death, researchers have developed unique strategies to target KRAS variations. Having been investigated over the past 40 years and considered "undruggable" due to the lack of pharmacological binding pockets, recent breakthroughs and accelerated FDA approval of the first covalent inhibitors targeting KRASG12C, have largely sparked further drug development. Small molecule development has targeted the previously identified primary location alterations such as G12, G13, Q61, and expanded to address the emerging secondary mutations and acquired resistance. Of interest, the non-covalent KRASG12D targeting inhibitor MRTX-1133 has shown promising results in humanized pancreatic cancer mouse models and is seemingly making its way from bench to bedside. While this manuscript was under review a novel class of first covalent inhibitors specific for G12D was published, These so-called malolactones can crosslink both GDP and GTP bound forms of G12D. Inhibition of the latter state suppressed downstream signaling and cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Moreover, a non-covalent pan-KRAS inhibitor, BI-2865, reduced tumor proliferation in cell lines and mouse models. Finally, the next generation of KRAS mutant-specific and pan-RAS tri-complex inhibitors have revolutionized RAS drug discovery. This review will give a structural biology perspective on the current generation of KRAS inhibitors through the lens of emerging secondary mutations and acquired resistance.

14.
Structure ; 32(10): 1711-1724.e5, 2024 Oct 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39173621

RESUMO

Protein glycation is a universal, non-enzymatic modification that occurs when a sugar covalently attaches to a primary amine. These spontaneous modifications may have deleterious or regulatory effects on protein function, and their removal is mediated by the conserved metabolic kinase fructosamine-3-kinase (FN3K). Despite its crucial role in protein repair, we currently have a poor understanding of how FN3K engages or phosphorylates its substrates. By integrating structural biology and biochemistry, we elucidated the catalytic mechanism for FN3K-mediated protein deglycation. Our work identifies key amino acids required for binding and phosphorylating glycated substrates and reveals the molecular basis of an evolutionarily conserved protein repair pathway. Additional structural-functional studies revealed unique structural features of human FN3K as well as differences in the dimerization behavior and regulation of FN3K family members. Our findings improve our understanding of the structure of FN3K and its catalytic mechanism, which opens new avenues for therapeutically targeting FN3K.


Assuntos
Modelos Moleculares , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool) , Ligação Proteica , Humanos , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool)/metabolismo , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool)/química , Glicosilação , Multimerização Proteica , Domínio Catalítico , Fosforilação , Cristalografia por Raios X , Especificidade por Substrato , Sítios de Ligação
15.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 7513, 2024 Aug 29.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39209860

RESUMO

The immune checkpoint protein, Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3), binds Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II (MHC-II) and suppresses T cell activation. Despite the recent FDA approval of a LAG3 inhibitor for the treatment of melanoma, how LAG3 engages MHC-II on the cell surface remains poorly understood. Here, we determine the 3.84 Å-resolution structure of mouse LAG3 bound to the MHC-II molecule I-Ab, revealing that domain 1 (D1) of LAG3 binds a conserved, membrane-proximal region of MHC-II spanning both the α2 and ß2 subdomains. LAG3 dimerization restricts the intermolecular spacing of MHC-II molecules, which may attenuate T cell activation by enforcing suboptimal signaling geometry. The LAG3-MHC-II interface overlaps with the MHC-II-binding site of the T cell coreceptor CD4, implicating disruption of CD4-MHC-II interactions as a mechanism for LAG3 immunosuppressive function. Lastly, antibody epitope analysis indicates that multiple LAG3 inhibitors do not recognize the MHC-II-binding interface of LAG3, suggesting a role for functionally distinct mechanisms of LAG3 antagonism in therapeutic development.


Assuntos
Antígenos CD , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe II , Proteína do Gene 3 de Ativação de Linfócitos , Ligação Proteica , Animais , Camundongos , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe II/metabolismo , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe II/química , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe II/imunologia , Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Antígenos CD/química , Antígenos CD/imunologia , Sítios de Ligação , Cristalografia por Raios X , Humanos , Modelos Moleculares , Ativação Linfocitária , Antígenos CD4/metabolismo , Antígenos CD4/química , Antígenos CD4/imunologia , Domínios Proteicos
16.
Sci Adv ; 10(7): eadj4137, 2024 Feb 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38354232

RESUMO

KRAS, the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancer, produces two isoforms, KRAS4a and KRAS4b, through alternative splicing. These isoforms differ in exon 4, which encodes the final 15 residues of the G-domain and hypervariable regions (HVRs), vital for trafficking and membrane localization. While KRAS4b has been extensively studied, KRAS4a has been largely overlooked. Our multidisciplinary study compared the structural and functional characteristics of KRAS4a and KRAS4b, revealing distinct structural properties and thermal stability. Position 151 influences KRAS4a's thermal stability, while position 153 affects binding to RAF1 CRD protein. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis identified localized structural differences near sequence variations and provided a solution-state conformational ensemble. Notably, KRAS4a exhibits substantial transcript abundance in bile ducts, liver, and stomach, with transcript levels approaching KRAS4b in the colon and rectum. Functional disparities were observed in full-length KRAS variants, highlighting the impact of HVR variations on interaction with trafficking proteins and downstream effectors like RAF and PI3K within cells.


Assuntos
Neoplasias , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Humanos , Conformação Molecular , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética
17.
Front Oncol ; 13: 1124272, 2023.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37035164

RESUMO

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is both the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor, associated with high mortality rates and resistance to conventional therapy. Despite recent advancements in knowledge and molecular profiling, recurrence of GBM is nearly inevitable. This recurrence has been attributed to the presence of glioma stem cells (GSCs), a small fraction of cells resistant to standard-of-care treatments and capable of self-renewal and tumor initiation. Therefore, targeting these cancer stem cells will allow for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies against GBM. We have previously identified several 7-amino acid length peptides which specifically target GSCs through in vitro and in vivo phage display biopanning. Methods and results: We have combined two of these peptides to create a dual peptide construct (EV), and demonstrated its ability to bind GSCs in vitro and target intracranial GBM in mouse models. A peptide pull-down performed with peptide EV followed by mass spectrometry determined N-cadherin as the binding partner of the peptide, which was validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance. To develop cytotoxic cellular products aimed at specifically targeting GSCs, chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) were engineered containing the peptide EV in place of the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) as the antigen-binding domain. EV CAR-transduced T cells demonstrated specific reactivity towards GSCs by production of interferon-gamma when exposed to GSCs, in addition to the induction of GSC-specific apoptosis as illustrated by Annexin-V staining. Conclusion: These results exemplify the use of phage display biopanning for the isolation of GSC-targeting peptides, and their potential application in the development of novel cytotoxic therapies for GBM.

18.
Cancer Res ; 83(19): 3176-3183, 2023 10 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37556505

RESUMO

RAS proteins are GTPases that regulate a wide range of cellular processes. RAS activity is dependent on its nucleotide-binding status, which is modulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEF) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAP). KRAS can be acetylated at lysine 104 (K104), and an acetylation-mimetic mutation of K104 to glutamine (K104Q) attenuates the in vitro-transforming capacity of oncogenic KRAS by interrupting GEF-induced nucleotide exchange. To assess the effect of this mutation in vivo, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate mouse models carrying the K104Q point mutation in wild-type and conditional KrasLSL-G12D alleles. Homozygous animals for K104Q were viable, fertile, and arose at the expected Mendelian frequency, indicating that K104Q is not a complete loss-of-function mutation. Consistent with our previous findings from in vitro studies, however, the oncogenic activity of KRASG12D was significantly attenuated by mutation at K104. Biochemical and structural analysis indicated that the G12D and K104Q mutations cooperate to suppress GEF-mediated nucleotide exchange, explaining the preferential effect of K104Q on oncogenic KRAS. Furthermore, K104 functioned in an allosteric network with M72, R73, and G75 on the α2 helix of the switch-II region. Intriguingly, point mutation of glycine 75 to alanine (G75A) also showed a strong negative regulatory effect on KRASG12D. These data demonstrate that lysine at position 104 is critical for the full oncogenic activity of mutant KRAS and suggest that modulating the sites in its allosteric network may provide a unique therapeutic approach in cancers expressing mutant KRAS. SIGNIFICANCE: An allosteric network formed by interaction between lysine 104 and residues in the switch-II domain is required for KRAS oncogenicity, which could be exploited for developing inhibitors of the activated oncoprotein.


Assuntos
Lisina , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Animais , Camundongos , Regulação Alostérica , Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina/metabolismo , Lisina/metabolismo , Mutação , Nucleotídeos/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Proteínas ras/metabolismo
19.
Commun Biol ; 6(1): 594, 2023 06 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37268708

RESUMO

Localized dynamics of RAS, including regions distal to the nucleotide-binding site, is of high interest for elucidating the mechanisms by which RAS proteins interact with effectors and regulators and for designing inhibitors. Among several oncogenic mutants, methyl relaxation dispersion experiments reveal highly synchronized conformational dynamics in the active (GMPPNP-bound) KRASG13D, which suggests an exchange between two conformational states in solution. Methyl and 31P NMR spectra of active KRASG13D in solution confirm a two-state ensemble interconverting on the millisecond timescale, with a major Pγ atom peak corresponding to the dominant State 1 conformation and a secondary peak indicating an intermediate state different from the known State 2 conformation recognized by RAS effectors. High-resolution crystal structures of active KRASG13D and KRASG13D-RAF1 RBD complex provide snapshots of the State 1 and 2 conformations, respectively. We use residual dipolar couplings to solve and cross-validate the structure of the intermediate state of active KRASG13D, showing a conformation distinct from those of States 1 and 2 outside the known flexible switch regions. The dynamic coupling between the conformational exchange in the effector lobe and the breathing motion in the allosteric lobe is further validated by a secondary mutation in the allosteric lobe, which affects the conformational population equilibrium.


Assuntos
Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Proteínas ras , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Sítios de Ligação , Proteínas ras/metabolismo , Conformação Proteica , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética
20.
J Chem Theory Comput ; 18(8): 5025-5045, 2022 Aug 09.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35866871

RESUMO

The appeal of multiscale modeling approaches is predicated on the promise of combinatorial synergy. However, this promise can only be realized when distinct scales are combined with reciprocal consistency. Here, we consider multiscale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that combine the accuracy and macromolecular flexibility accessible to fixed-charge all-atom (AA) representations with the sampling speed accessible to reductive, coarse-grained (CG) representations. AA-to-CG conversions are relatively straightforward because deterministic routines with unique outcomes are achievable. Conversely, CG-to-AA conversions have many solutions due to a surge in the number of degrees of freedom. While automated tools for biomolecular CG-to-AA transformation exist, we find that one popular option, called Backward, is prone to stochastic failure and the AA models that it does generate frequently have compromised protein structure and incorrect stereochemistry. Although these shortcomings can likely be circumvented by human intervention in isolated instances, automated multiscale coupling requires reliable and robust scale conversion. Here, we detail an extension to Multiscale Machine-learned Modeling Infrastructure (MuMMI), including an improved CG-to-AA conversion tool called sinceCG. This tool is reliable (∼98% weakly correlated repeat success rate), automatable (no unrecoverable hangs), and yields AA models that generally preserve protein secondary structure and maintain correct stereochemistry. We describe how the MuMMI framework identifies CG system configurations of interest, converts them to AA representations, and simulates them at the AA scale while on-the-fly analyses provide feedback to update CG parameters. Application to systems containing the peripheral membrane protein RAS and proximal components of RAF kinase on complex eight-component lipid bilayers with ∼1.5 million atoms is discussed in the context of MuMMI.


Assuntos
Bicamadas Lipídicas , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Humanos , Bicamadas Lipídicas/química , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Proteínas/química
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