Project description:The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, Pin1, is exploited in cancer to activate oncogenes and inactivate tumor suppressors. However, despite considerable efforts, Pin1 has remained an elusive drug target. Here, we screened an electrophilic fragment library to identify covalent inhibitors targeting Pin1’s active site Cys113, leading to the development of Sulfopin, a nanomolar Pin1 inhibitor. Sulfopin is highly selective, as validated by two independent chemoproteomics methods, achieves potent cellular and in vivo target engagement, and phenocopies Pin1 genetic knockout. Pin1 inhibition had only a modest effect on cancer cell line viability. Still, Sulfopin induced downregulation of c-Myc target genes, reduced tumor progression and conferred survival benefit in murine and zebrafish models of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma, and in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. Our results demonstrate that Sulfopin is a suitable chemical probe for assessing Pin1-dependent pharmacology in cells and in vivo, and that Pin1 warrants further investigation as a potential cancer drug target.
Project description:We studied transcriptional changes by Affymetrix human microarrays in 2 DLBCL cell lines as a result of shRNA mediated knockdown of EZH2. In eukaryotes, epigenetic post-translational modification of histones is critical for regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression. EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and is responsible for repressing target gene expression through methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27). Over-expression of EZH2 is implicated in tumorigenesis and correlates with poor prognosis in multiple tumor types. Recent reports have identified somatic heterozygous mutations of Y641 and A677 residues within the catalytic SET domain of EZH2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). The Y641 residue is the most frequently mutated residue, with 22% of GCB (Germinal Cell B-cell) DLBCL and FL harboring mutations at this site. These lymphomas exhibit increased H3K27 tri-methylation (H3K27me3) due to altered substrate preferences of the mutant enzymes. However, it is unknown whether direct inhibition of EZH2 methyltransferase activity alone will be effective in treating lymphomas carrying activating EZH2 mutations. Herein, we demonstrate that GSK126, a potent, highly-selective, SAM-competitive, small molecule inhibitor of EZH2 methyltransferase activity, decreases global H3K27me3 levels and reactivates silenced PRC2 target genes. GSK126 effectively inhibits the proliferation of EZH2 mutant DLBCL cell lines and dramatically inhibits the growth of EZH2 mutant DLBCL xenografts in mice. Together, these data demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 activity may provide a promising treatment for EZH2 mutant lymphoma. Pfeiffer and KARPAS-422 cells were treated with either shRNA targeting EZH2 (shEZH2) or a non targeting control (shNTC) for 10 days.
Project description:We studied transcriptional changes by Affymetrix human microarrays in DLBCL cell lines as a result of treatment with GSK126, a potent, highly-selective, SAM-competitive, small molecule inhibitor of EZH2 In eukaryotes, epigenetic post-translational modification of histones is critical for regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression. EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and is responsible for repressing target gene expression through methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27). Over-expression of EZH2 is implicated in tumorigenesis and correlates with poor prognosis in multiple tumor types. Recent reports have identified somatic heterozygous mutations of Y641 and A677 residues within the catalytic SET domain of EZH2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). The Y641 residue is the most frequently mutated residue, with 22% of GCB (Germinal Cell B-cell) DLBCL and FL harboring mutations at this site. These lymphomas exhibit increased H3K27 tri-methylation (H3K27me3) due to altered substrate preferences of the mutant enzymes. However, it is unknown whether direct inhibition of EZH2 methyltransferase activity alone will be effective in treating lymphomas carrying activating EZH2 mutations. Herein, we demonstrate that GSK126, a potent, highly-selective, SAM-competitive, small molecule inhibitor of EZH2 methyltransferase activity, decreases global H3K27me3 levels and reactivates silenced PRC2 target genes. GSK126 effectively inhibits the proliferation of EZH2 mutant DLBCL cell lines and dramatically inhibits the growth of EZH2 mutant DLBCL xenografts in mice. Together, these data demonstrate that pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 activity may provide a promising treatment for EZH2 mutant lymphoma. 10 DLBCL cell lines (7 mutant and 3 wild type EZH2), that were differentially sensitive to GSK126 in proliferation assays, were treated for 72 hours, in duplicate (n=2), with either DMSO (vehicle) or 500nM of GSK126, a potent selective EZH2 inhibitor. EZH2 mutant cell lines are Pfeiffer, KARPAS-422, WSU-DLCL2, SU-DHL-10, SU-DHL-6, DB and SU-DHL-4. EZH2 wildtype cell lines are HT, OCI-LY-19 and Toledo.
Project description:The NAD hydrolase (NADase) SARM1 acts as a central executioner of programmed axon death and is a possible therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders. While orthosteric inhibitors of SARM1 have been described, this multi-domain enzyme is also subject to intricate forms of autoregulation, suggesting the potential for allosteric modes of inhibition. Previous studies have identified multiple cysteine residues that support SARM1 activation and catalysis, but which of these cysteines, if any, might be selectively targetable by electrophilic small molecules remains unknown. Here we describe the chemical proteomic discovery of a series of tryptoline acrylamides that site-specifically and stereoselectively modify cysteine-311 (C311) in the non-catalytic, autoregulatory armadillo repeat (ARM) domain of SARM1. These covalent compounds inhibit the NADase activity of WT-SARM1, but not C311A or C311S SARM1 mutants, show a high degree of proteome-wide selectivity for SARM1_C311, and stereoselectively block vincristine- and vacor-induced neurite degeneration in primary rodent dorsal root ganglion neurons. Our findings describe selective, covalent inhibitors of SARM1 targeting an allosteric cysteine, pointing to a potentially attractive therapeutic strategy for axon degeneration-dependent forms of neurological disease.
Project description:Here, we aim to investigate if catalytic inhibition of the m6A methyltransferase METTL3 by the small-molecule STM2457 may be a viable treatment option for TNBC.
Project description:Mutations within the catalytic domain of the histone methyltransferase (HMT) EZH2 have been identified in subsets of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) patients. These genetic alterations are hypothesized to confer an oncogenic dependency on EZH2 enzymatic activity in these cancers. We previously reported the discovery of a potent, selective, S-adenosyl-methionine-competitive and orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of EZH2, EPZ-6438. EPZ-6438 selectively inhibits intracellular lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27) methylation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in both EZH2 wild type and mutant lymphoma cells. Inhibition of H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27Me3) led to selective cell killing of human lymphoma cell lines bearing EZH2 catalytic domain point mutations. Treatment of xenograft-bearing mice with EPZ-6438 leads to dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition and eradication of genetically altered NHL with correlative diminution of H3K27Me3 levels in tumors and selected normal tissues. Mice dosed orally with EPZ-6438 for 28 days remained tumor free for up to 63 day after stopping compound treatment in two EZH2 mutant xenograft models. These data confirm the dependency of mutant NHL on EZH2 activity and portend the utility of EZH2-targeted drugs for the treatment of these genetically defined cancers. To identify potential biomarker and gain mechanistic insights in EPZ6438 treated lymphoma, lymphoma cell lines with or without EZH2 Y641 mutation were treated with EPZ6438 at Lowest Cytotoxic Concentration (LCC) and 10xLCC. Transcriptomes were profiled on Affemetrix U133 Plus2 chips. Differentially expressed genes and pathways upon compound treatment were anayzed. Lymphoma cell lines WSU-DLCL2, SU-DHL6, Pfeiffer, and Karpas422 were treated by EPZ6438 for 2 days, 4 days and 6 days. Treatment doses are LCC and 10xLCC of each cell lines. KARPAS_422, SUDHL6, and WSU_DLCL2 have the EZH2 Y641 mutation. PFEIFFER does not have the EZH2 Y641 mutation.
Project description:KRAS is the most frequently mutated driver of pancreatic, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancers. Direct KRAS blockade has proven challenging and inhibition of a key downstream effector pathway, the RAF-MEK-ERK cascade, has shown limited success due to activation of feedback networks that keep the pathway in check. We hypothesized that inhibiting SOS1, a KRAS activator and important feedback node, represents an effective approach to treat KRAS-driven cancers. We report the discovery of a highly potent, selective and orally bioavailable small-molecule SOS1 inhibitor, BI-3406, that binds to the catalytic domain of SOS1 thereby preventing the interaction with KRAS. BI-3406 reduces formation of GTP-loaded RAS and limits cellular proliferation of a broad range of KRAS-driven cancers. Importantly, BI-3406 attenuates feedback reactivation induced by MEK inhibitors and thereby enhances sensitivity of KRAS-dependent cancers to MEK inhibition. Combined SOS1 and MEK inhibition represents a novel and effective therapeutic concept to address KRAS-driven tumors.
Project description:Therapeutic targeting of CDK7 has proven beneficial in pre-clinical studies, yet the off-target effects of currently available CDK7 inhibitors make it difficult to pinpoint the exact mechanisms behind MM cell death mediated by CDK7 inhibition. Here, we show that CDK7 expression positively correlates with E2F and MYC transcriptional programs in multiple myeloma (MM) patient cells; and its selective targeting counteracts E2F activity via perturbation of the CDKs/Rb axis and impairs MYC-regulated metabolic gene signatures translating into defects in glycolysis and reduced levels of lactate production in MM cells. CDK7 inhibition using the covalent small molecule inhibitor YKL-5-124 elicits a strong therapeutic response with minimal effects on normal cells, and causes in vivo tumor regression increasing survival in several MM mouse models including a genetically engineered mouse model of MYC-dependent MM. Through its role as a critical cofactor and regulator of MYC and E2F activity, CDK7 is therefore a master regulator of oncogenic cellular programs supporting MM growth and survival, and a valuable therapeutic target providing rationale for development of YKL-5-124 for clinical use.