Novel Eph receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors block colorectal cancer cell growth

ABSTRACT: Despite advances, treatment of unresectable colorectal cancer remains a clinical challenge and the incidence of this malignancy is increasing in individuals below the age of fifty. Integrated genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and mechanistic studies identified the tyrosine kinase receptors EphB2 and EphB4 as colorectal cancer drivers, and EphA2 activity as a cancer resistance mechanism to epidermal growth factor receptor and BRAF inhibitors. Reduction of EphB2 and EphB4 activity suppresses colorectal cancer cell growth and survival and is a potential target for colorectal cancer therapy. Here, we report the design and synthesis of two novel inhibitors, 1 and 3, that selectively bind with high affinity to A and B-type Eph receptor tyrosine kinases, inhibit A and B-type Eph tyrosine kinase activity, induce cell cycle arrest and confer a protracted state of growth reduction to colorectal cancer cells. 1 and 3 bind to EphA2 arresting the activation loop containing the conserved Asp-Phe-Gly (“DFG”)-motif in an inactive conformation and show a conserved hydrogen bond interaction with the so-called gatekeeper residue, the activation loop, alphaC helix, and hinge region of the kinase, typical of kinase inhibitors. These results demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of Eph tyrosine kinase receptors is a valid therapeutic approach for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Fusion Lumos, Q Exactive HF

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

SUBMITTER: Maria Reinecke  

LAB HEAD: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Kuster

PROVIDER: PXD031880 | Pride | 2024-05-23

REPOSITORIES: Pride