In silico design and molecular basis for the selectivity of Olinone toward the first over the second bromodomain of BRD4.

Bromodomains (BrDs), a conserved structural module in chromatin-associated proteins, are well known for recognizing ε-N-acetyl lysine residues on histones. One of the most relevant BrDs is BRD4, a tandem BrD containing protein (BrD1 and BrD2) that plays a critical role in numerous diseases including cancer. Growing evidence shows that the two BrDs of BRD4 have different biological functions; hence selective ligands that can be used to study their functions are of great interest. Here, as a follow-up of our previous work, we first provide a detailed characterization study of the in silico rational design of Olinone as part of a series of five tetrahydropyrido indole-based compounds as BRD4 BrD1 inhibitors. Additionally, we investigated the molecular basis for Olinone's selective recognition by BrD1 over BrD2. Molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations, and conformational analyses of the apo-BRD4-BrD1|2 and BRD4-BrD1|2/Olinone complexes showed that Olinone's selectivity is facilitated by five key residues: Leu92 in BrD1|385 in BrD2 of ZA loop, Asn140|433, Asp144|His437 and Asp145|Glu438 of BC loop, and Ile146|Val49 of helix C. Furthermore, the difference in hydrogen bonds number and in mobility of the ZA and BC loops of the acetyl-lysine binding site between BRD4 BrD1/Olinone and BrD2/Olinone complexes also contribute to the difference in Olinone's binding affinity and selectivity toward BrD1 over BrD2. Altogether, our computer-aided molecular design techniques can effectively guide the development of small-molecule BRD4 BrD1 inhibitors, explain their selectivity origin, and further open doors to the design of new therapeutically improved derivatives.

A Solid-Phase Approach to Accessing Bisthioether-Stapled Peptides Resulting in a Potent Inhibitor of PRC2 Catalytic Activity.

Stapled peptides have emerged as a new class of therapeutics to effectively target intractable protein-protein interactions. Thus, efficient and versatile methods granting easy access to this class of compounds and expanding the scope(s) of the currently available ones are of great interest. Now, a solid phase approach is described for the synthesis of bisthioether stapled peptides with multiple architectures, including single-turn, double-turn, and double-stapled macrocycles. This method allows for ligation with all-hydrocarbon linkers of various lengths, avoiding the use of unnatural amino acids and expensive catalysts, and affords cyclopeptides with remarkable resistance to proteolytic degradation. The potential of this procedure is demonstrated by applying it to generate a stapled peptide that shows potent in vitro inhibition of methyltransferase activity of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) of proteins.

Cyclic amino acid linkers stabilizing key loops of brain derived neurotrophic factor.

Based on ß-turn-like BDNF loops 2 and 4, involved in receptor interaction, cyclic peptide replicas were designed, synthesized and tested. In addition to the native turn residues, the cyclic peptides include a linker unit between the N- and C-termini, selected by molecular modeling among various non-proteinogenic cyclic amino acids. NMR conformational studies showed that most of the cyclic peptides were able to adopt turn-like structures. Several of the analogues displayed significant inhibition of the BDNF-induced TrkB receptor phosphorylation, and hence could be useful templates for developing improved antagonists for this receptor.

Rational design of cyclic peptide modulators of the transcriptional coactivator CBP: a new class of p53 inhibitors.

The CREB binding protein (CBP) is a human transcriptional coactivator consisting of several conserved functional modules, which interacts with distinct transcription factors including nuclear receptors, CREB, and STAT proteins. Despite the importance of CBP in transcriptional regulation, many questions regarding the role of its particular domains in CBP functions remain unanswered. Therefore, developing small molecules capable of selectively modulating a single domain of CBP is of invaluable aid at unraveling its prominent activities. Here we report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of conformationally restricted peptides as novel modulators for the acetyl-lysine binding bromodomain (BRD) of CBP. Utilizing a target structure-guided and computer-aided rational design approach, we developed a series of cyclic peptides with affinity for CBP BRD significantly greater than those of its biological ligands, including lysine-acetylated histones and tumor suppressor p53. The best cyclopeptide of the series exhibited a K(d) of 8.0 µM, representing a 24-fold improvement in affinity over that of the linear lysine 382-acetylated p53 peptide. This lead peptide is highly selective for CBP BRD over BRDs from other transcriptional proteins. Cell-based functional assays carried out in colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells further demonstrated the efficacy of this compound to modulate p53 stability and function in response to DNA damage. Our results strongly argue that these CBP modulators can effectively inhibit p53 transcriptional activity by blocking p53K382ac binding to CBP BRD and promoting p53 instability by changes of its post-translational modification states, a different mechanism than that of the p53 inhibitors reported to date.

Structural basis of site-specific histone recognition by the bromodomains of human coactivators PCAF and CBP/p300.

Histone lysine acetylation is central to epigenetic control of gene transcription. Bromodomains of chromosomal proteins function as acetyl-lysine (Kac) binding domains. However, how bromodomains recognize site-specific histones remains unanswered. Here, we report three three-dimensional solution structures of the bromodomains of the human transcriptional coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) bound to peptides derived from histone acetylation sites at lysines 36 and 9 in H3, and lysine 20 in H4. From structural and biochemical binding analyses, we determine consensus histone recognition by the bromodomains of PCAF and CBP, which represent two different subgroups of the bromodomain family. Through bromodomain residues in the ZA and BC loops, PCAF prefers acetylation sites with a hydrophobic residue at (Kac+2) position and a positively charged or aromatic residue at (Kac+3), whereas CBP favors bulky hydrophobic residues at (Kac+1) and (Kac+2), a positively charged residue at (Kac-1), and an aromatic residue at (Kac-2).

Further evidence for 2-alkyl-2-carboxyazetidines as gamma-turn inducers.

Reverse turns, a common motif in proteins and peptides, have attracted attention due to their relevance in a wide variety of biological processes. In an attempt to artificially imitate and stabilize these turns in short peptides, we have developed versatile synthetic methodologies for the preparation of 2-alkyl-2-carboxyazetidines and incorporated them into the i + 1 position of model tetrapeptides, where they have shown a tendency to induce gamma-turns. However, to ascertain the general utility of these restricted amino acids as gamma-type reverse turn inducers, it was then required to study the conformational preferences when located at other positions. To this end, model tetrapeptides R-CO-Ala-Xaa-NHMe, containing differently substituted azetidine moieties (Xaa = Aze, 2-MeAze, 2-BnAze) at the i + 2 position, were synthesized and subjected to a thorough conformational analysis. The theoretical and experimental results obtained, including the X-ray diffraction structure of a dipeptide derivative containing this skeleton, provide evidence that the 2-alkyl-2-carboxyazetidine scaffold is able to efficiently induce gamma-turns when incorporated into these short peptides, irrespective of their localization in the peptide chain.

Peptidomimetics Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions for Therapeutic Development.

BACKGROUND: Interactions between proteins play a key role in nearly all cellular process, and therefore, its dysregulation may lead to many different types of cellular dysfunctions. Hence, pathologic Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) constitute highly attractive drug targets and hold great potential for developing novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of incurable human diseases. Unfortunately, the identification of PPI inhibitors is an extremely challenging task, since traditionally used small molecules ligands are mostly unable to cover and anchor on the extensive and flat surfaces that define those binary protein complexes. In contrast, large biomolecules such as proteins or peptides are ideal fits for this so-called "undruggable" sites. However, their poor pharmacokinetic properties have also limited their applications as therapeutics. In this context, peptidomimetic molecules have emerged as an alternative and viable solution to this problem, since they conserve the architectural and structural features of peptides and also exhibit substantially improved pharmacokinetic profiles. CONCLUSION: In the last decades, a wide array of chemical approaches granting access to conformationally constrained peptides with substantially improved pharmacokinetic profiles have been described, with a special focus on those affording stapled peptides and allowing large-scale macrocyclizations. These peptidomimetic molecules have been successfully applied to target a plethora of biological hosts, which highlights their promising future as novel therapeutics for the treatment of incurable human diseases.

Modulating Mineralocorticoid Receptor with Non-steroidal Antagonists. New Opportunities for the Development of Potent and Selective Ligands without Off-Target Side Effects.

Steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists are used for treatment of a range of human diseases, but they present challenging issues of complex chemical synthesis, undesirable physical properties, and poor selectivity along with unwanted side effects. Therefore, there is a great interest in the discovery of non-steroidal ligands able to bind to the ligand-binding domain of the MR and recruit different co-regulators to produce tissue-specific therapeutic effects. Several academic groups and pharmaceutical companies have been developing a series of non-steroidal ligands that consist of different chemical scaffolds, yielding MR antagonists currently evaluated in clinical studies for the treatment of congestive heart failure, hypertension, or diabetic nephropathy. The main focus of this Perspective is to review the reported structure-activity relationships of the different series of compounds, as well as the structural studies that contribute to a better understanding of the receptor active site and are also helpful for optimization processes.

From 1-acyl-beta-lactam human cytomegalovirus protease inhibitors to 1-benzyloxycarbonylazetidines with improved antiviral activity. A straightforward approach to convert covalent to noncovalent inhibitors.

Starting from the structure of known beta-lactam covalent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) protease inhibitors and from the knowledge of the residues implicated in the active site of this enzyme, we designed a series of phenylalanine-derived 2-azetidinones bearing a 4-carboxylate moiety that could be apt for additional interactions with the guanidine group of the Arg165/Arg166 residues of the viral protease. Some compounds within this series showed anti-HCMV activity at 10-50 muM, but rather high toxicity. The presence of aromatic 1-acyl groups and a certain hydrophobic character in the region of the 4-carboxylate were stringent requirements for anti-HCMV activity. To go a step ahead into the search for effective HCMV medicines, we then envisaged a series of noncovalent inhibitors by simple deletion of the carbonyl group in the beta-lactam derivatives to provide the corresponding azetidines. This led to low micromolar inhibitors of HCMV replication, with 17 and 27 being particularly promising lead compounds for further investigation, although their toxicity still needs to be lowered.

Selective chemical modulation of gene transcription favors oligodendrocyte lineage progression.

Lysine acetylation regulates gene expression through modulating protein-protein interactions in chromatin. Chemical inhibition of acetyl-lysine binding bromodomains of the major chromatin regulators BET (bromodomain and extraterminal domain) proteins has been shown to effectively block cell proliferation in cancer and inflammation. However, whether selective inhibition of individual BET bromodomains has distinctive functional consequences remains only partially understood. In this study, we show that selective chemical inhibition of the first bromodomain of BET proteins using our small-molecule inhibitor, Olinone, accelerated the progression of mouse primary oligodendrocyte progenitors toward differentiation, whereas inhibition of both bromodomains of BET proteins hindered differentiation. This effect was target specific, as it was not detected in cells treated with inactive analogs and independent of any effect on proliferation. Therefore, selective chemical modulation of individual bromodomains, rather than use of broad-based inhibitors, may enhance regenerative strategies in disorders characterized by myelin loss such as aging and neurodegeneration.

Control of embryonic stem cell identity by BRD4-dependent transcriptional elongation of super-enhancer-associated pluripotency genes.

Transcription factors and chromatin-remodeling complexes are key determinants of embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity. Here, we demonstrate that BRD4, a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family of epigenetic readers, regulates the self-renewal ability and pluripotency of ESCs. BRD4 inhibition resulted in induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and commitment to the neuroectodermal lineage while reducing the ESC multidifferentiation capacity in teratoma assays. BRD4 maintains transcription of core stem cell genes such as OCT4 and PRDM14 by occupying their super-enhancers (SEs), large clusters of regulatory elements, and recruiting to them Mediator and CDK9, the catalytic subunit of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), to allow Pol-II-dependent productive elongation. Our study describes a mechanism of regulation of ESC identity that could be applied to improve the efficiency of ESC differentiation.

Solid-phase synthesis of a library of amphipatic hydantoins. Discovery of new hits for TRPV1 blockade.

Some heterocyclic systems, called privileged scaffolds, appear frequently in bioactive products and marketed drugs. The combination of a recognized privileged scaffold (hydantoin) and a functional group with high incidence in bioactive molecules (guanidine) guided the design of a library of amphipatic compounds, which allowed the discovery of novel TRPV1 ion channel blockers. The library was synthesized by parallel solid-phase synthesis from an orthogonally protected resin-bound Lys-Lys skeleton. Key steps of the synthetic procedure were the construction of the hydantoin ring, by reaction of the N-terminal amino group with N,N-disuccinimidyl carbonate (DSC) and subsequent base-induced cyclization, and the guanidinylation of the C-terminal Lys side-chain after removal of the Alloc protecting-group. The preliminary biological studies have allowed the identification of some of the key structural features directing the blockage of capsaicin-induced Ca(2+) influx through TRPV1 channels, particularly, the strong preference showed for highly lipophilic acyl groups and substituted guanidine moieties. Active compounds based on this new pharmacophoric scaffold that display in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity.

A small molecule binding to the coactivator CREB-binding protein blocks apoptosis in cardiomyocytes.

As a master transcription factor in cellular responses to external stress, tumor suppressor p53 is tightly regulated. Excessive p53 activity during myocardial ischemia causes irreversible cellular injury and cardiomyocyte death. p53 activation is dependent on lysine acetylation by the lysine acetyltransferase and transcriptional coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) and on acetylation-directed CBP recruitment for p53 target gene expression. Here, we report a small molecule ischemin, developed with a structure-guided approach to inhibit the acetyl-lysine binding activity of the bromodomain of CBP. We show that ischemin alters post-translational modifications on p53 and histones, inhibits p53 interaction with CBP and transcriptional activity in cells, and prevents apoptosis in ischemic cardiomyocytes. Our study suggests small molecule modulation of acetylation-mediated interactions in gene transcription as a new approach to therapeutic interventions of human disorders such as myocardial ischemia.

Assembling ligands in situ using bioorthogonal boronate ester synthesis.

Many molecules that could manipulate cellular function are not practical due to their large size and concomitant undesirable pharmocokinetic properties. Here, we describe a bioorthogonal, highly stable boronate ester (HiSBE) synthesis and use this reaction to synthesize a biologically active molecule from smaller precursors in a physiological context. The rapid rate of HiSBE synthesis suggests that it may be useful for assembling a wide variety of biologically active molecules in physiological solutions.

Azetidine-derived amino acids versus proline derivatives. alternative trends in reverse turn induction.

The influence of 2-alkyl-2-carboxyazetidines (Aze) on the 3D structure of model tetrapeptides R2CO-2-R1Aze-l-Ala-NHMe has been analyzed by molecular modeling, 1H NMR, and FT-IR studies. The conformational constraints introduced by the four-membered ring resulted in an effective way to stabilize gamma-turn-like conformations in these short peptides. The conformational preferences of these Aze-containing peptides have been compared to those of the corresponding peptide analogues containing Pro or alpha-MePro in the place of 2-alkyl-Aze residue. In the model studied, both Pro and Aze derivatives are able to induce reverse turns, but the nature of the turn is different as a function of the ring size. While the five-membered ring of Pro tends to induce beta-turns, as previously suggested by different authors, the four-membered ring of Aze residues forces the peptide to preferentially adopt gamma-turn conformations. In both cases, the presence of an alkyl group at the alpha-position of Pro or the azetidine-2-carboxylate ring enhances significantly the turn-inducing ability. These results might open the opportunity of using 2-alkyl-Aze residues as versatile tools in defining the role of gamma-turn structures within the bioactive conformation of selected peptides, and represent an alternative to Pro derivatives as turn inducers.

Ligand discovery using small molecule microarrays.

Small molecule microarrays have recently been used to identify ligands for several proteins, and several themes regarding screening strategies and limitations have emerged. In this review, some of the technical issues related to the manufacture and screening of small molecule microarrays, as well as prospects for small molecule microarrays in several areas of drug discovery and chemistry, are discussed.

General approach for the stereocontrolled construction of the beta-lactam ring in amino acid-derived 4-alkyl-4-carboxy-2-azetidinones.

The first general approach toward the asymmetric synthesis of 4-alkyl-4-carboxy-2-azetidinones derived from amino acids is described. The stereoselective construction of the beta-lactam ring was achieved through base-mediated intramolecular cyclization of the corresponding N(alpha)-chloroacetyl derivatives bearing (+)- or (-)-10-(N,N-dicyclohexylsulfamoyl)isoborneol as chiral auxiliary (ee up to 82%).

Exploring solid-phase approaches for the preparation of new beta-lactams from amino acids.

Two solid-phase approaches, involving the base-assisted intramolecular alkylation of N-chloroacetyl-Phe derivatives anchored to appropriate solid supports, were investigated for the preparation of novel beta-lactams. When a BAL-type strategy was used, the resin-bound azetidinones were easily formed, as established by MAS-NMR, but final compounds could not be removed from the resin, unless a suitable two linkers system was used. In the second approach, in which the Phe residue is anchored to a Wang-type resin through the carboxylate group, the corresponding 1,4,4-trisubstituted 2-azetidinone was obtained in moderate to good yield and high purity.

Synthesis and anti-HCMV activity of 1-acyl-beta-lactams and 1-acylazetidines derived from phenylalanine.

Different Phe-derived 1-acyl-beta-lactams, analogous to a series of 2-azetidinones acting as HCMV serine protease inhibitors, were synthesized. Some of these compounds were modest inhibitors of the HCMV replication. Interestingly, removal of the carbonyl group of the beta-lactam ring, most likely acting as the serine trap, resulted in an azetidine derivative with anti-HCMV activity comparable to that of the reference compound ganciclovir.