Peptide-HLA-based immunotherapeutics platforms for direct modulation of antigen-specific T cells.

Targeted pharmacologic activation of antigen-specific (AgS) T cells may bypass limitations inherent in current T cell-based cancer therapies. We describe two immunotherapeutics platforms for selective delivery of costimulatory ligands and peptide-HLA (pHLA) to AgS T cells. We engineered and deployed on these platforms an affinity-attenuated variant of interleukin-2, which selectively expands oligoclonal and polyfunctional AgS T cells in vitro and synergizes with CD80 signals for superior proliferation versus peptide stimulation.

A Functional NaV1.7-NaVAb Chimera with a Reconstituted High-Affinity ProTx-II Binding Site.

The NaV1.7 voltage-gated sodium channel is implicated in human pain perception by genetics. Rare gain of function mutations in NaV1.7 lead to spontaneous pain in humans whereas loss of function mutations results in congenital insensitivity to pain. Hence, agents that specifically modulate the function of NaV1.7 have the potential to yield novel therapeutics to treat pain. The complexity of the channel and the challenges to generate recombinant cell lines with high NaV1.7 expression have led to a surrogate target strategy approach employing chimeras with the bacterial channel NaVAb. In this report we describe the design, synthesis, purification, and characterization of a chimera containing part of the voltage sensor domain 2 (VSD2) of NaV1.7. Importantly, this chimera, DII S1-S4, forms functional sodium channels and is potently inhibited by the NaV1.7 VSD2 targeted peptide toxin ProTx-II. Further, we show by [125I]ProTx-II binding and surface plasmon resonance that the purified DII S1-S4 protein retains high affinity ProTx-II binding in detergent. We employed the purified DII S1-S4 protein to create a scintillation proximity assay suitable for high-throughput screening. The creation of a NaV1.7-NaVAb chimera with the VSD2 toxin binding site provides an important tool for the identification of novel NaV1.7 inhibitors and for structural studies to understand the toxin-channel interaction.

Developing Adnectins that target SRC co-activator binding to PXR: a structural approach toward understanding promiscuity of PXR.

The human pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a promiscuous nuclear receptor that functions as a sensor to a wide variety of xenobiotics and regulates expression of several drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. We have generated "Adnectins", derived from 10th fibronectin type III domain ((10)Fn3), that target the PXR ligand binding domain (LBD) interactions with the steroid receptor co-activator-1 (SRC-1) peptide, displacing SRC-1 binding. Adnectins are structurally homologous to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Three different co-crystal structures of PXR LBD with Adnectin-1 and CCR1 (CC chemokine receptor-1) antagonist Compound-1 were determined. This structural information was used to modulate PXR affinity for a related CCR1 antagonist compound that entered into clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis. The structures of PXR with Adnectin-1 reveal specificity of Adnectin-1 in not only targeting the interface of the SRC-1 interactions but also engaging the same set of residues that are involved in binding of SRC-1 to PXR. Substituting SRC-1 with Adnectin-1 does not alter the binding conformation of Compound-1 in the ligand binding pocket. The structure also reveals the possibility of using Adnectins as crystallization chaperones to generate structures of PXR with compounds of interest.

Pharmacologic profile of the Adnectin BMS-962476, a small protein biologic alternative to PCSK9 antibodies for low-density lipoprotein lowering.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin-9 (PCSK9) is an important pharmacological target for decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in cardiovascular disease, although seemingly inaccessible to small molecule approaches. Compared with therapeutic IgG antibodies currently in development, targeting circulating PCSK9 with smaller molecular scaffolds could offer different profiles and reduced dose burdens. This inspired genesis of PCSK9-binding Adnectins, a protein family derived from human fibronectin-10th-type III-domain and engineered for high-affinity target binding. BMS-962476, an ∼11-kDa polypeptide conjugated to polyethylene glycol to enhance pharmacokinetics, binds with subnanomolar affinity to human. The X-ray cocrystal structure of PCSK9 with a progenitor Adnectin shows ∼910 Å(2) of PCSK9 surface covered next to the LDL receptor binding site, largely by residues of a single loop of the Adnectin. In hypercholesterolemic, overexpressing human PCSK9 transgenic mice, BMS-962476 rapidly lowered cholesterol and free PCSK9 levels. In genomic transgenic mice, BMS-962476 potently reduced free human PCSK9 (ED50 ∼0.01 mg/kg) followed by ∼2-fold increases in total PCSK9 before return to baseline. Treatment of cynomolgus monkeys with BMS-962476 rapidly suppressed free PCSK9 >99% and LDL-cholesterol ∼55% with subsequent 6-fold increase in total PCSK9, suggesting reduced clearance of circulating complex. Liver sterol response genes were consequently downregulated, following which LDL and total PCSK9 returned to baseline. These studies highlight the rapid dynamics of PCSK9 control over LDL and liver cholesterol metabolism and characterize BMS-962476 as a potent and efficacious PCSK9 inhibitor.

Identifying factors associated with performance in a mock CSA: perceptions from trainees and trainers from one deanery.

BACKGROUND: The Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) exam is a required component to obtain Membership to the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP). This initial study was part of a wider initiative to reduce the first-time failure rates of the real CSA exam with further follow-up studies planned. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Second-year GP specialty trainees (ST2) took part in a mock CSA exam. GP trainers from Dorset were invited to help facilitate the session as part of a 'trainers' education day'. Trainers were given a 3-hour updating training session led by a CSA examiner on how the mock CSAs were scored prior to observing and facilitating the mock exams. Trainee characteristics were analysed with a view to identifying what combination of factors were associated with performance in the mock CSA exam. Particular attention was placed on linguistic skills since a number of recent high-profile cases involving communication difficulties have attracted media interest. Open-ended responses were collected from feedback questionnaires in order to obtain perceptions about exam preparation and support. RESULTS: Thirty GP trainees attended a mock CSA training day as well as over 60 GP trainers. IMG characteristics were associated with poor performance in the mock CSA exam. Open-ended responses from trainees indicated that future preparation would be more focused in light of the mock CSA. As a result of attending the training day the GP trainers felt they had picked up skills and knowledge to help their GP registrars pass the CSA exam in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified characteristics that may help predict success in the mock CSA exam. These characteristics were similar to national statistics for the real CSA exam. Overall feedback from the day was positive to such an extent that further CSA mock days have been planned in the Dorset General Practice Vocational Training Scheme (GPVTS) and interest has been expressed from other GP training schools in the region for using a mock system in the training of new GPs.

Enhanced selectivity profile of pyrazole-urea based DFG-out p38alpha inhibitors.

By targeting an extended region of the conventional 'DFG-out' pocket of p38alpha, while minimizing interactions with the specificity pocket and eliminating interactions with the adenine binding site, we are able to design and synthesize a number of pyrazole-urea based DFG-out p38alpha inhibitors with good potencies, and excellent selectivity.

The design, synthesis and potential utility of fluorescence probes that target DFG-out conformation of p38alpha for high throughput screening binding assay.

The design, synthesis and utility of fluorescence probes that bind to the DFG-out conformation of p38alpha kinase are described. Probes that demonstrate good affinity for p38alpha, have been identified and one of the probes, PF-04438255, has been successfully used in an high throughput screening (HTS) assay to identify two novel non-classical p38alpha inhibitors. In addition, a cascade activity assay was utilized to validate the selective binding of these non-classical kinase inhibitors to the unactive form of the enzyme.

Selectivity-determining residues in Plk1.

Polo-like kinase 1 is an important regulator of cell cycle progression whose over-expression is often associated with oncogenesis. Polo-like kinase 1 hence represents an attractive target for cancer intervention. BI 2536 (Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany), a Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor currently in clinical trials, exhibits nanomolar potency against Polo-like kinase isoforms and high selectivity against other kinases. We have previously published the crystal structures of the Polo-like kinase 1 domain in complex with AMPPNP and an Aurora A inhibitor. In this work, we present the co-crystal structure of Polo-like kinase 1 with BI 2536. The structure, in combination with selectivity data for BI 2536 and related compounds, illustrates important features for potency and selectivity. In particular, we show that the methoxy group of BI 2536 is an important specificity determinant against non-Polo-like kinases by taking advantage of a small pocket generated by Leu 132 in the hinge region of Polo-like kinase 1. The work presented here provides a framework for structure-based drug design of Polo-like kinase 1-specific inhibitors.

Structure of the catalytic domain of human polo-like kinase 1.

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is an attractive target for the development of anticancer agents due to its importance in regulating cell-cycle progression. Overexpression of Plk1 has been detected in a variety of cancers, and expression levels often correlate with poor prognosis. Despite high interest in Plk1-targeted therapeutics, there is currently no structure publicly available to guide structure-based drug design of specific inhibitors. We determined the crystal structures of the T210V mutant of the kinase domain of human Plk1 complexed with the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMPPNP) or the pyrrolo-pyrazole inhibitor PHA-680626 at 2.4 and 2.1 A resolution, respectively. Plk1 adopts the typical kinase domain fold and crystallized in a conformation resembling the active state of other kinases. Comparison of the kinetic parameters determined for the (unphosphorylated) wild-type enzyme, as well as the T210V and T210D mutants, shows that the mutations primarily affect the kcat of the reaction, with little change in the apparent Km for the protein or nucleotide substrates (kcat = 0.0094, 0.0376, and 0.0049 s-1 and Km(ATP) = 3.2, 4.0, and 3.0 microM for WT, T210D, and T210V, respectively). The structure highlights features of the active site that can be exploited to obtain Plk1-specific inhibitors with selectivity over other kinases and Plk isoforms. These include the presence of a phenylalanine at the bottom of the ATP pocket, combined with a cysteine (as opposed to the more commonly found leucine) in the roof of the binding site, a pocket created by Leu132 in the hinge region, and a cluster of positively charged residues in the solvent-exposed area outside of the adenine pocket adjacent to the hinge region.

Structural determinants for inhibitor specificity and selectivity in PDE2A using the wheat germ in vitro translation system.

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) modulate signaling by cyclic nucleotides in diverse processes such as cardiac contractility, platelet aggregation, lipolysis, glycogenolysis, and smooth muscle contraction. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) stimulated human phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) is expressed mainly in brain and heart tissues. PDE2A is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid homeostasis by the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), making PDE2-type enzymes important targets for drug discovery. The design of more potent and selective inhibitors of PDE2A for the treatment of heart disease would be greatly aided by the identification of active site residues in PDE2A that determine substrate and inhibitor selectivity. The identification of active site residues through traditional mutational studies involves the time-consuming and tedious purification of a large number of mutant proteins from overexpressing cells. Here we report an alternative approach to rapidly produce active site mutants of human PDE2A and identify their enzymatic properties using a wheat germ in vitro translation (IVT, also known as cell-free translation) system. We also present the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of human PDE2A determined at 1.7 A resolution, which provided a framework for the rational design of active site mutants. Using a rapid IVT approach for expression of human PDE2A mutants, we identified the roles of active site residues Asp811, Gln812, Ile826, and Tyr827 in inhibitor and substrate selectivity for PDE2A.