Structure-based design and parallel synthesis of N-benzyl isatin oximes as JNK3 MAP kinase inhibitors.

A series of N-benzylated isatin oximes were developed as inhibitors of the mitogen-activated kinase, JNK3. X-ray crystallographic structures aided in the design and synthesis of novel, selective compounds, that inhibit JNK3, but not p38 MAP kinase and provided key insights into understanding the behavior of gatekeeper residue methionine-146 in determining target selectivity for this series.

2-Aminopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as potent and selective inhibitors of JAK2.

Constitutive activation of the EPO/JAK2 signaling cascade has recently been implicated in a variety of myeloproliferative disorders including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis. In an effort to uncover therapeutic potential of blocking the EPO/JAK2 signaling cascade, we sought to discover selective inhibitors that block the kinase activity of JAK2. Herein, we describe the discovery and structure based optimization of a novel series of 2-amino-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines that exhibit potent inhibition of JAK2.

Cell type-specific quantitative predictions of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations: a computer model approach.

A quantitative computer model was applied to simulate the three-dimensional (3D) spatial organization of chromatin in human cell nuclei under defined conditions of virtual irradiation to explore the implications of spatial organization on chromosome aberrations. To calibrate the virtual irradiation algorithm, a dose-dependent spectrum of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations such as dicentrics, translocations and centric rings was calculated for low-LET radiation doses ranging from 0.5 to 5 Gy. This was compared with the results from experimental studies. While the dose-response curves calculated from model simulations agree well with experimental dose-response curves for dicentrics and translocations, centric rings are significantly more frequent in the model simulation than in experiments despite taking into account exclusive arm territories in the applied Spherical 1 Mbp Chromatin Domain (SCD) computer model explicitly. Taking into account the non-random positioning of chromosome territories observed in lymphocyte cell nuclei (a so-called gene density-correlated arrangement of chromosome territories), aberration frequencies were calculated with the calibrated irradiation algorithm to investigate the impact of chromosome territory neighborhood effects (proximity effects). The absolute frequencies of pairwise exchanges agree well with those found in an experimental study. In conclusion, the results obtained using the computer model approach presented here based on only a few adjustable parameters correlated well with those of experimental studies of chromosome aberration frequencies. Thus the model may be a useful tool in radiation-induced cancer risk estimates in combination with epidemiological studies.

The structural basis for the specificity of pyridinylimidazole inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase.

BACKGROUND: The p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase regulates signal transduction in response to environmental stress. Pyridinylimidazole compounds are specific inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase that block the production of the cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and they are effective in animal models of arthritis, bone resorption and endotoxin shock. These compounds have been useful probes for studying the physiological functions of the p38-mediated MAP kinase pathway. RESULTS: We report the crystal structure of a novel pyridinylimidazole compound complexed with p38 MAP kinase, and we demonstrate that this compound binds to the same site on the kinase as does ATP. Mutagenesis showed that a single residue difference between p38 MAP kinase and other MAP kinases is sufficient to confer selectivity among pyridinylimidazole compounds. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal how pyridinylimidazole compounds are potent and selective inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase but not other MAP kinases. It should now be possible to design other specific inhibitors of activated p38 MAP kinase using the structure of the nonphosphorylated enzyme.

A single amino acid substitution makes ERK2 susceptible to pyridinyl imidazole inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are serine/threonine kinases that mediate intracellular signal transduction pathways. Pyridinyl imidazole compounds block pro-inflammatory cytokine production and are specific p38 kinase inhibitors. ERK2 is related to p38 in sequence and structure, but is not inhibited by pyridinyl imidazole inhibitors. Crystal structures of two pyridinyl imidazoles complexed with p38 revealed these compounds bind in the ATP site. Mutagenesis data suggested a single residue difference at threonine 106 between p38 and other MAP kinases is sufficient to confer selectivity of pyridinyl imidazoles. We have changed the equivalent residue in human ERK2, Q105, into threonine and alanine, and substituted four additional ATP binding site residues. The single residue change Q105A in ERK2 enhances the binding of SB202190 at least 25,000-fold compared to wild-type ERK2. We report enzymatic analyses of wild-type ERK2 and the mutant proteins, and the crystal structure of a pyridinyl imidazole, SB203580, bound to an ERK2 pentamutant, I103L, Q105T, D106H, E109G. T110A. These ATP binding site substitutions induce low nanomolar sensitivity to pyridinyl imidazoles. Furthermore, we identified 5-iodotubercidin as a potent ERK2 inhibitor, which may help reveal the role of ERK2 in cell proliferation.

Kinase chemogenomics: targeting the human kinome for target validation and drug discovery.

Chemogenomics is a gene family-based approach to drug discovery and target validation. This review will summarize the application of this interdisciplinary approach to the protein kinases of the human genome with emphasis upon the synergies and efficiencies to be gained. Specific examples from the SAPK-family will be discussed.

In vitro selection and characterization of VX-478 resistant HIV-1 variants.

VX-478 (141W94), a potent inhibitor of HIV protease, is in late stage clinical trials for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS. Resistant viruses were raised in vitro by passage of HIV-1IIIB in the presence of increasing concentrations of VX-478 and the related hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide inhibitor VB-11,328. By direct PCR analysis of selected viruses, a number of mutations were identified (L10F, M46I, I47V, I50V and I84V) in the protease gene. These mutations were introduced into recombinant HIV-1 protease and the mutant enzymes assayed against a panel of inhibitors of diverse chemical structure. For VX-478, significant increases in IC90 and Ki were observed for virus or protease, respectively, containing I50V single mutation or an M46I/I47V/I50V triple mutation. The mutant proteases were also characterized for their kinetic competence to process substrates representing cleavage sites of gag-pol viral polypeptide. The kinetic data were interpreted with the aid of molecular modeling to understand the effect of mutations on inhibitor binding and processing of the gag-pol polypeptide to generate infective virions.

The Discovery of VX-745: A Novel and Selective p38α Kinase Inhibitor.

The synthesis of novel, selective, orally active 2,5-disubstituted 6H-pyrimido[1,6-b]pyridazin-6-one p38α inhibitors is described. Application of structural information from enzyme-ligand complexes guided the selection of screening compounds, leading to the identification of a novel class of p38α inhibitors containing a previously unreported bicyclic heterocycle core. Advancing the SAR of this series led to the eventual discovery of 5-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenylthio)-6H-pyrimido[1,6-b]pyridazin-6-one (VX-745). VX-745 displays excellent enzyme activity and selectivity, has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, and demonstrates good in vivo activity in models of inflammation.

Genome organization, instabilities, stem cells, and cancer.

It is now widely recognized that advances in exploring genome organization provide remarkable insights on the induction and progression of chromosome abnormalities. Much of what we know about how mutations evolve and consequently transform into genome instabilities has been characterized in the spatial organization context of chromatin. Nevertheless, many underlying concepts of impact of the chromatin organization on perpetuation of multiple mutations and on propagation of chromosomal aberrations remain to be investigated in detail. Genesis of genome instabilities from accumulation of multiple mutations that drive tumorigenesis is increasingly becoming a focal theme in cancer studies. This review focuses on structural alterations evolve to raise a variety of genome instabilities that are manifested at the nucleotide, gene or sub-chromosomal, and whole chromosome level of genome. Here we explore an underlying connection between genome instability and cancer in the light of genome architecture. This review is limited to studies directed towards spatial organizational aspects of origin and propagation of aberrations into genetically unstable tumors.

In vitro and in vivo isotope effects with hepatitis C protease inhibitors: enhanced plasma exposure of deuterated telaprevir versus telaprevir in rats.

Telaprevir 2 (VX-950), an inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV(a)) NS3-4A protease, is in phase 3 clinical trials. One of the major metabolites of 2 is its P1-(R)-diastereoisomer, 3 (VRT-394), containing an inversion at the chiral center next to the alpha-ketoamide on exchange of a proton with solvent. Compound 3 is approximately 30-fold less active against HCV protease. In an attempt to suppress the epimerization of 2 without losing activity against the HCV protease, the proton at that chiral site was replaced with deuterium (d). The compound 1 (d-telaprevir) is as efficacious as 2 in in vitro inhibition of protease activity and viral replication (replicon) assays. The kinetics of in vitro stability of 1 and 2 in buffered pH solutions and plasma samples, including human plasma, suggest that 1 is significantly more stable than 2. Oral administration (10 mg/kg) in rats resulted in a approximately 13% increase of AUC for 1.

Staurosporine-based binding assay for testing the affinity of compounds to protein kinases.

Staurosporine is a broad-spectrum inhibitor of both tyrosine and serine/threonine protein kinases. Excitation of staurosporine and its analogues at 296 nm results in major emission bands centered at 378 and 396 nm. The intensity of the emission bands is enhanced on binding to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) site of many protein kinases. This property was used to develop a competitive displacement assay for evaluating the binding affinity of small molecules to protein kinases. The assay was validated in both cuvette and plate formats for several phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated protein kinases. The throughput of the assay is high enough to be used in drug discovery for screening as well as lead optimization.

Phosphoryl transfer is not rate-limiting for the ROCK I-catalyzed kinase reaction.

Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase, ROCK, is implicated in Rho-mediated cell adhesion and smooth muscle contraction. Animal models suggest that the inhibition of ROCK can ameliorate conditions, such as vasospasm, hypertension, and inflammation. As part of our effort to design novel inhibitors of ROCK, we investigated the kinetic mechanism of ROCK I. Steady-state bisubstrate kinetics, inhibition kinetics, isotope partition analysis, viscosity effects, and presteady-state kinetics were used to explore the kinetic mechanism. Plots of reciprocals of initial rates obtained in the presence of nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues and the small molecule inhibitor of ROCK, Y-27632, against the reciprocals of the peptide concentrations yielded parallel lines (uncompetitive pattern). This pattern is indicative of an ordered binding mechanism, with the peptide adding first. The staurosporine analogue K252a, however, gave a noncompetitive pattern. When a pulse of (33)P-gamma-ATP mixed with ROCK was chased with excess unlabeled ATP and peptide, 0.66 enzyme equivalent of (33)P-phosphate was incorporated into the product in the first turnover. The presence of ATPase activity coupled with the isotope partition data is a clear evidence for the existence of a viable [E-ATP] complex in the kinase reaction and implicates a random binding mechanism. The k(cat)/K(m) parameters were fully sensitive to viscosity (viscosity effects of 1.4 +/- 0.2 and 0.9 +/- 0.3 for ATP and peptide 5, respectively), and therefore, the barriers to dissociation of either substrate are higher than the barrier for the phosphoryl transfer step. As a consequence, not all the binding steps are at fast equilibrium. The observation of a burst in presteady-state kinetics (k(b) = 10.2 +/- 2.1 s(-)(1)) and the viscosity effect on k(cat) of 1.3 +/- 0.2 characterize the phosphoryl transfer step to be fast and the release of product and/or the enzyme isomerization step accompanying it as rate-limiting at V(max) conditions. From the multiple kinetic studies, most of the rate constants for the individual steps were either evaluated or estimated.

Beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of depsipeptides: peptide inhibition and a new kinetic mechanism.

The aminolysis of the depsipeptide m-[[(phenylacetyl)glycyl]oxy]benzoic acid (1) by D-phenylalanine, catalyzed by the beta-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae P99, is inhibited by the product of the reaction, (phenylacetyl)glycyl-D-phenylalanine (2), by the peptide analogue of 1, m-[(phenylacetyl)-glycinamido]benzoic acid (3), and by (3-dansylamidophenyl)boronic acid. Analysis of the steady-state kinetics of the effect of 2 and 3 on the reaction indicated that both a competitive binding mode and a noncompetitive binding mode existed for each peptide. Thus, there probably are two distinct binding sites (sites 1 and 2) that 2 and 3, and by implication 1, are able to simultaneously occupy on the enzyme surface. Given this information, it was possible to devise a new kinetic mechanism for the aminolysis reaction which yielded the experimentally observed empirical rate equation [Pazhanisamy, S., Govardhan, C. P., & Pratt, R. F. (1989) Biochemistry (first of three papers in this issue)] but did not involve initial binding of D-phenylalanine to the free enzyme, which has been shown not to occur [Pazhanisamy, S., & Pratt, R. F. (1989) Biochemistry (second of three papers in this issue)]. The mechanism requires two different 1:1 enzyme/1 complexes, only one of which leads to the hydrolysis and aminolysis reactions (1 in site 1), and a 1:2 enzyme/1 complex (1 in both sites), which leads only to hydrolysis. The dansyl boronate inhibits by binding competitively with 1 in site 1. It is suggested that this scheme also applies to the analogous transpeptidase reactions of small model peptides catalyzed by the bacterial cell wall DD-peptidases, where similar steady-state kinetics have been observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of depsipeptides: proof of the nonexistence of a specific D-phenylalanine/enzyme complex by double-label isotope trapping.

The steady-state kinetics of the Enterobacter cloacae P99 beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of the depsipeptide m-[[(phenylacetyl)glycyl]oxy]benzoic acid by D-phenylalanine were consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism with D-phenylalanine binding first [Pazhanisamy, S., Govardhan, C. P., & Pratt, R. F. (1989) Biochemistry (first of three papers in this issue)]. In terms of this mechanism, the kinetics data required that in 20 mM MOPS buffer, pH 7.5, the dissociation constant of the initially formed enzyme/D-phenylalanine complex be around 1.3 mM; at pH 9.0 in 0.1 M carbonate buffer, the complex should be somewhat more stable. Attempts to detect this complex in a binary mixture by spectroscopic methods (fluorescence, circular dichroic, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra) failed. Kinetic methods were also unsuccessful--the presence of 20 mM D-phenylalanine did not appear to affect beta-lactamase activity nor inhibition of the enzyme by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, phenylboronic acid, or (3-dansylamidophenyl)boronic acid. Equilibrium dialysis experiments appeared to indicate that the dissociation constant of any binary enzyme/D-phenylalanine complex must be somewhat higher than the kinetics allowed (greater than 2 mM). Since the kinetics also required that, at high depsipeptide concentrations, and again with the assumption of the ordered sequential mechanism, the reaction of the enzyme/D-phenylalanine complex to aminolysis products be faster than its reversion to enzyme and D-phenylalanine, a double-label isotope-trapping experiment was performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of depsipeptides: amine specificity and steady-state kinetics.

beta-Lactamases catalyze not only the hydrolysis but also the aminolysis of certain depsipeptides [Pratt, R. F., & Govardhan, C. P. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 1302-1306]. This paper explores further the specificity of the aminolysis reaction with respect to the structure of the amine and also the steady-state kinetics of the reaction. The amines preferred by the class C beta-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae P99 appear to be aromatic D-alpha-amino acids. The general order of substrate effectiveness at pH 7.5 appears to be aromatic D-alpha-amino acids greater than large aliphatic D-alpha-amino acids greater than small aliphatic D-alpha-amino acids approximately small aliphatic L-alpha-amino acids greater than large L-alpha-amino acids. Charges on the aliphatic side chains seem unimportant. Ineffective as acyl acceptors were beta-amino acids, alpha-amino phosphonic acids, and, in general, amines, including amino acid carboxyl derivatives and peptides. There is thus strong evidence for specific interaction between the amine and the enzyme. A detailed kinetics study was made of the P99 beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of m-[[(phenylacetyl)glycyl]oxy]benzoic acid by D-phenylalanine. The steady-state kinetics were complex because of the presence of parallel enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis and aminolysis reactions. An empirical rate equation was obtained for the total reaction. This has important elements in common with that previously found for the aminolysis of specific peptides by the DD-peptidases of various Streptomyces strains [e.g., Frere, J.-M., Ghuysen, J.-M., Perkins, H.R., & Nieto, M. (1973) Biochem. J. 135, 483-492].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence from a mutant beta-lactamase for the mechanism of beta-lactamase-catalysed depsipeptide aminolysis.

The Ser-70----Gly mutant of the TEM-1 beta-lactamase, where the active-site serine hydroxy group has been lost, does not catalyse the hydrolysis of either benzylpenicillin or N-(phenylacetyl)glycyl depsipeptides. This is as would be expected for a double-displacement mechanism where the Ser-70 becomes acylated at an intermediate stage. Further, however, the mutant enzyme, unlike the wild-type, does not catalyse aminolysis of depsipeptides by D-phenylalanine. If the active site is not structurally disrupted by the mutation, this result shows that Ser-70 is necessary for the aminolysis reaction and implies that this reaction, like the hydrolysis, proceeds by way of an acyl-(serine)-enzyme intermediate. Although physical evidence suggests that the mutant enzyme does not have a structure in solution identical with that of the wild-type, the mutant does still bind beta-lactam substrates. The latter result suggests sufficient conservation of the active-site structure for the major conclusion above to hold.

Automation of a high-performance liquid chromatography-based enzyme assay: evaluation of inhibition constants for human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease inhibitors.

Enzyme-based assays are commonly employed in clinical and pharmaceutical laboratories to aid in quantitation of organic substances. Many enzyme assays are tedious, requiring the addition of reagents at multiple time intervals. The HPLC-based analysis of reaction products requires an additional step of vialing the samples and placing them in the autosampler. Such time-consuming, repetitive procedures are ideally suited for automation. We automated an HIV protease assay for the purposes of screening compounds as inhibitors of HIV protease and determining inhibition constants. Automation was accomplished by interfacing a robotic sample processor from a Gilson Model 232/401 biocompatible automatic sample processor and injector, with a Hewlett Packard HPLC. We used this configuration to automate the following steps: (a) preparation of serial dilutions of inhibitor, (b) enzyme assay setup, and (c) quantitation of products of enzyme assays. The resulting automated method produced inhibition constants that were of comparable accuracy and precision to those determined by manual methods.

The anomalous properties of the glutamate dehydrogenase-NADPH-alpha-ketoglutarate complex are not ascribable to a carbonyl addition reaction.

The glutamate dehydrogenase-NADPH-alpha-ketoglutarate complex, an active intermediate on the reaction pathway has a number of unusual properties: 1) it is the only blue-shifted natural complex of this enzyme; 2) it has an anomalously slow rate of dissociation; 3) its off-rate shows a substantial pH-independent D2O solvent isotope effect not exhibited by any other ternary complex of this enzyme; and 4) it has an unusually large enthalpy of interaction parameter. These properties must be ascribable to at least one of the two possibilities conferred on the complex by the presence of the alpha-carbonyl group of alpha-ketoglutarate; the ability to engage in carbonyl addition reactions; and/or the ability to form a specific hydrogen bond. Oxalylglycine, a competitive inhibitor of alpha-ketoglutarate in this enzyme-catalyzed reaction, provides a means of discriminating between these two modes of action. The structure of oxalylglycine provides a dicarboxylic compound which has the same intercarboxylate proton distance and has a carbonyl group in a position spatially analogous to that of alpha-ketoglutarate. Its carbonyl group, however, is that of an amide group and cannot, therefore, engage in carbonyl addition reactions, but can hydrogen bond. Therefore, any effects observed with both oxalylglycine and alpha-ketoglutarate must be ascribed to formation of specific alpha-carbonyl hydrogen bonding, whereas any effects observed with alpha-ketoglutarate alone must be due to an alpha-carbonyl addition reaction. We have used this logic to test the source of the four phenomena listed above. In each case, oxalylglycine and alpha-ketoglutarate showed the same effect. Therefore, we conclude that all four phenomena are in fact due to the formation of a specific alpha-carbonyl hydrogen bond and that the specific carbonyl addition reaction between alpha-ketoglutarate and an enzyme lysine group, postulated in one proposed catalytic mechanism, does not occur.

Kinetic mechanism of the p38-alpha MAP kinase: phosphoryl transfer to synthetic peptides.

p38 is a member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. Activation (phosphorylation) of p38 acts as a switch for the transcriptional and translational regulation of a number of proteins, including the proinflammatory cytokines. Investigation of a set of small peptides revealed that, as with protein substrates, p38-alpha behaves as a proline-directed Ser/Thr MAP kinase for a peptide substrate, peptide 4 (IPTSPITTTYFFFKKK). We investigated the steady-state kinetic mechanism of the p38-alpha-catalyzed kinase reaction with EGF receptor peptide, peptide 1, as a substrate. Lineweaver-Burk analysis of the substrate kinetics yielded a family of lines intersecting to the left of the ordinate, with either ATP or peptide 1 as the varied substrate. Kinetic analysis in the presence of ADP yielded a competitive inhibition pattern when ATP was the varied substrate and a noncompetitive pattern if peptide 1 was the varied substrate. At saturating peptide substrate concentrations, inhibition by phosphopeptide product yielded an uncompetitive pattern when ATP was the varied substrate. These data are consistent with ordered binding with ATP as the initial substrate. We provide further evidence of the existence of a productive p38.ATP binary complex in that (a) activated p38-alpha has intrinsic ATPase activity, (b) ATPase and kinase activities are coupled, and (c) inhibitors of ATPase activity also inhibit the kinase activity with a similar inhibition constant. The k(cat) for the kinase reaction was lowered by 1.8-fold when ATP-gamma-S was used. Microviscosity linearly affected the k(cat) values of both the ATP and ATP-gamma-S reactions with a slope of about 0.8. These observations were interpreted to mean that the phosphoryl transfer step is not rate-limiting and that the release of product and/or enzyme isomerization is a possible rate-limiting step(s).

A kinetic mechanism of the allosteric control of enzyme-coenzyme binding: glutamate dehydrogenase-NADPH-phosphate-acetate-hydrogen ion interactions.

We have previously characterized the thermodynamic relationships which govern the dissociation of NADPH from bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase and the allosteric control of that mechanically and physiologically important process by a variety of effectors. We have found that the cooperative occupancy of a specific anion binding, while the occupancy of a second allosteric acetate binding site disrupts that anion binding site and opposes those effects (Singh & Fisher, 1994). We report here the results of transient-state studies on the kinetics of the various processes involved in this complex equilibrium. We find that the only intrinsically slow steps are those of NADPH binding and dissociation, that the complex kinetic behavior of the overall system is due solely to very rapid equilibrium binding processes involving phosphate, acetate, and hydrogen ions, and that these ions exert their various effects on the kinetics of the binding process by altering the equilibrium concentrations of the two kinetically significant reactive species, E and E-NADPH. The slow intrinsic rates of NADPH association and dissociation are ascribed to a ligand-induced conformational change involving a major alteration in the degree of closure of the enzyme's active-site cleft.