Molecular recognition of methylated amino acids and peptides by Pillar[6]MaxQ.

We report the molecular recognition properties of Pillar[n]MaxQ (P[n]MQ) toward a series of (methylated) amino acids, amino acid amides, and post-translationally modified peptides by a combination of 1H NMR, isothermal titration calorimetry, indicator displacement assays, and molecular dynamics simulations. We find that P6MQ is a potent receptor for N-methylated amino acid side chains. P6MQ recognized the H3K4Me3 peptide with Kd = 16 nM in phosphate buffered saline.

Polycomb Paralog Chromodomain Inhibitors Active against Both CBX6 and CBX8*.

Methyllysine reader proteins bind to methylated lysine residues and alter gene transcription by changing either the compaction state of chromatin or by the recruitment of other multiprotein complexes. The polycomb paralog family of methyllysine readers bind to trimethylated lysine on the tail of histone 3 (H3) via a highly conserved aromatic cage located in their chromodomains. Each of the polycomb paralogs are implicated in several disease states. CBX6 and CBX8 are members of the polycomb paralog family with two structurally similar chromodomains. By exploring the structure-activity relationships of a previously reported CBX6 inhibitor we have discovered more potent and cell permeable analogs. Our current report includes potent, dual-selective inhibitors of CBX6 and CBX8. We have shown that the -2 position in our scaffold is an important residue for selectivity amongst the polycomb paralogs. Preliminary cell-based studies show that the new inhibitors impact cell proliferation in a rhabdoid tumor cell line.

Pan-specific and partially selective dye-labeled peptidic inhibitors of the polycomb paralog proteins.

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is in part controlled by post-translational modifications on histone proteins. Histone methylation is a key epigenetic mark that controls gene transcription and repression. There are five human polycomb paralog proteins (Cbx2/4/6/7/8) that use their chromodomains to recognize trimethylated lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3). Recognition of the methyllysine side chain is achieved through multiple cation-pi interactions within an 'aromatic cage' motif. Despite high structural similarity within the chromodomains of this protein family, they each have unique functional roles and are linked to different cancers. Selective inhibition of different CBX proteins is desirable for both fundamental studies and potential therapeutic applications. We report here on a series of peptidic inhibitors that target certain polycomb paralogs. We have identified peptidic scaffolds with sub-micromolar potency, and will report examples that are pan-specific and that are partially selective for individual members within the family. These results highlight important structure-activity relationships that allow for differential binding to be achieved through interactions outside of the methyllysine-binding aromatic cage motif.