Modular Protein Ligation: A New Paradigm as a Reagent Platform for Pre-Clinical Drug Discovery.

Significant resource is spent by drug discovery project teams to generate numerous, yet unique target constructs for the multiple platforms used to drive drug discovery programs including: functional assays, biophysical studies, structural biology, and biochemical high throughput screening campaigns. To improve this process, we developed Modular Protein Ligation (MPL), a combinatorial reagent platform utilizing Expressed Protein Ligation to site-specifically label proteins at the C-terminus with a variety of cysteine-lysine dipeptide conjugates. Historically, such proteins have been chemically labeled non-specifically through surface amino acids. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we first applied MPL to proteins of varying size in different target classes using different recombinant protein expression systems, which were then evaluated in several different downstream assays. A key advantage to the implementation of this paradigm is that one construct can generate multiple final products, significantly streamlining the reagent generation for multiple early drug discovery project teams.

The Role of Phosphodiesterase 12 (PDE12) as a Negative Regulator of the Innate Immune Response and the Discovery of Antiviral Inhibitors.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) enzymes and RNase-L constitute a major effector arm of interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral defense. OAS produces a unique oligonucleotide second messenger, 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A), that binds and activates RNase-L. This pathway is down-regulated by virus- and host-encoded enzymes that degrade 2-5A. Phosphodiesterase 12 (PDE12) was the first cellular 2-5A- degrading enzyme to be purified and described at a molecular level. Inhibition of PDE12 may up-regulate the OAS/RNase-L pathway in response to viral infection resulting in increased resistance to a variety of viral pathogens. We generated a PDE12-null cell line, HeLaΔPDE12, using transcription activator-like effector nuclease-mediated gene inactivation. This cell line has increased 2-5A levels in response to IFN and poly(I-C), a double-stranded RNA mimic compared with the parental cell line. Moreover, HeLaΔPDE12 cells were resistant to viral pathogens, including encephalomyocarditis virus, human rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Based on these results, we used DNA-encoded chemical library screening to identify starting points for inhibitor lead optimization. Compounds derived from this effort raise 2-5A levels and exhibit antiviral activity comparable with the effects observed with PDE12 gene inactivation. The crystal structure of PDE12 complexed with an inhibitor was solved providing insights into the structure-activity relationships of inhibitor potency and selectivity.

Design and x-ray crystal structures of high-potency nonsteroidal glucocorticoid agonists exploiting a novel binding site on the receptor.

Crystallography and computer modeling have been used to exploit a previously unexplored channel in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Highly potent, nonsteroidal indazole amides showing excellent complementarity to the channel were designed with the assistance of the computational technique AlleGrow. The accuracy of the design process was demonstrated through crystallographic structural determination of the GR ligand-binding domain-agonist complex of the D-prolinamide derivative 11. The utility of the channel was further exemplified through the design of a potent phenylindazole in which structural motifs, seen to interact with the traditional GR ligand pocket, were abandoned and replaced by interactions within the new channel. Occupation of the channel was confirmed with a second GR crystal structure of this truncated D-alaninamide derivative 13. Compound 11 displays properties compatible with development as an intranasal solution formulation, whereas oral bioavailability has been demonstrated with a related truncated exemplar 14. Data with the pyrrolidinone amide 12 demonstrate the potential for further elaboration within the "meta" channel to deliver compounds with selectivity for the desired transrepressive activity of glucocorticoids. The discovery of these interactions with this important receptor offers significant opportunities for the design of novel GR modulators.

The first X-ray crystal structure of the glucocorticoid receptor bound to a non-steroidal agonist.

The amino-pyrazole 2,6-dichloro-N-ethyl benzamide 1 is a selective GR agonist with dexamethasone-like in vitro potency. Its X-ray crystal structure in the GR LBD (Glucocorticoid ligand-binding domain) is described and compared to other reported structures of steroidal GR agonists in the GR LBD (3E7C).

Expression, purification, and characterization of multiple, multifunctional human glucocorticoid receptor proteins.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a nuclear receptor protein that plays a central role in glucose homeostasis, the stress response, control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and immuno-inflammatory processes via binding of the natural steroid, cortisol. GR is a well-validated drug target and continues to be an important target for new drug discovery efforts. Here, we describe a basic and simple method for Escherichia coli expression and purification of a variety of human GR proteins that contain all three of the functional domains of the protein: the activation function-1 domain, the DNA-binding domain, and the ligand-binding domain. We present characterization data to show that these purified, multifunctional GR proteins are active for ligand, coactivator, and DNA-binding. The work presented here should serve as a reference for future mechanistic, structural and drug discovery efforts that require purified, full or near full length, GR protein.

X-ray crystal structure of the novel enhanced-affinity glucocorticoid agonist fluticasone furoate in the glucocorticoid receptor-ligand binding domain.

An X-ray crystal structure is reported for the novel enhanced-affinity glucocorticoid agonist fluticasone furoate (FF) in the ligand binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor. Comparison of this structure with those of dexamethasone and fluticasone propionate shows the 17 alpha furoate ester to occupy more fully the lipophilic 17 alpha pocket on the receptor, which may account for the enhanced glucocorticoid receptor binding of FF.

Crystallization of protein-ligand complexes.

Obtaining diffraction-quality crystals has long been a bottleneck in solving the three-dimensional structures of proteins. Often proteins may be stabilized when they are complexed with a substrate, nucleic acid, cofactor or small molecule. These ligands, on the other hand, have the potential to induce significant conformational changes to the protein and ab initio screening may be required to find a new crystal form. This paper presents an overview of strategies in the following areas for obtaining crystals of protein-ligand complexes: (i) co-expression of the protein with the ligands of interest, (ii) use of the ligands during protein purification, (iii) cocrystallization and (iv) soaks.

A ligand-mediated hydrogen bond network required for the activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor.

Ligand binding is the first step in hormone regulation of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activity. Here, we report multiple crystal structures of MR (NR3C2) bound to both agonist and antagonists. These structures combined with mutagenesis studies reveal that maximal receptor activation involves an intricate ligand-mediated hydrogen bond network with Asn770 which serves dual roles: stabilization of the loop preceding the C-terminal activation function-2 helix and direct contact with the hormone ligand. In addition, most activating ligands hydrogen bond to Thr945 on helix 10. Structural characterization of the naturally occurring S810L mutant explains how stabilization of a helix 3/helix 5 interaction can circumvent the requirement for this hydrogen bond network. Taken together, these results explain the potency of MR activation by aldosterone, the weak activation induced by progesterone and the antihypertensive agent spironolactone, and the binding selectivity of cortisol over cortisone.

Structure and function of the glucocorticoid receptor ligand binding domain.

After binding to an activating ligand, such as corticosteroid, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) performs an impressive array of functions ranging from nuclear translocation, oligomerization, cofactor/kinase/transcription factor association, and DNA binding. One of the central functions of the receptor is to regulate gene expression, an activity triggered by ligand binding. In this role, GR acts as an adapter molecule by encoding the ligand's message within the structural flexibility of the ligand binding domain (LBD). The purpose of this review is to discuss the many structural and functional features of the GR LBD in light of recent successful biochemical and crystallographic studies. Progress in this area of research promises to reveal new strategies and insights allowing for the design of novel drugs to treat inflammatory diseases, diabetic conditions, steroid resistance, and cancers.

Structure-based design of potent retinoid X receptor alpha agonists.

A series of tetrahydrobenzofuranyl and tetrahydrobenzothienyl propenoic acids that showed potent agonist activity against RXRalpha were synthesized via a structure-based design approach. Among the compounds studied, 46a,b showed not only very good potency against RXRalpha (K(i) = 6 nM) but was also found to be greater than 167-fold selective vs RARalpha (K(i) > 1000 nM). This compound profiled out as a full agonist in a cell-based transient transfection assay (EC(50) = 3 nM). The two antipodes were separated via chiral chromatography, and 46b was found to be 40-fold more potent than 46a. Interestingly, cocrystallization of 46a,b with the RXRalpha protein generated a liganded structure whereby the (S)-antipode was found in the binding pocket. Given orally in db/db mice or ZDF rats, 46a,b showed a significant glucose-lowering effect and an increase in liver mass. Triglycerides decreased significantly in db/db mice but increased in the ZDF rats. A dose-dependent decrease of nonesterified free fatty acids was seen in ZDF rats but not in db/db mice. These differences indicate a species specific effect of RXR agonists on lipid metabolism.

X-ray crystal structure of the liver X receptor beta ligand binding domain: regulation by a histidine-tryptophan switch.

The x-ray crystal structures of the human liver X receptor beta ligand binding domain complexed to sterol and nonsterol agonists revealed a perpendicular histidinetryptophan switch that holds the receptor in its active conformation. Hydrogen bonding interactions with the ligand act to position the His-435 imidazole ring against the Trp-457 indole ring, allowing an electrostatic interaction that holds the AF2 helix in the active position. The neutral oxysterol 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol accepts a hydrogen bond from His-435 that positions the imidazole ring of the histidine above the pyrrole ring of the tryptophan. In contrast, the acidic T0901317 hydroxyl group makes a shorter hydrogen bond with His-435 that pulls the imidazole over the electron-rich benzene ring of the tryptophan, possibly strengthening the electrostatic interaction. Point mutagenesis of Trp-457 supports the observation that the ligand-histidine-tryptophan coupling is different between the two ligands. The lipophilic liver X receptor ligand-binding pocket is larger than the corresponding steroid hormone receptors, which allows T0901317 to adopt two distinct conformations. These results provide a molecular basis for liver X receptor activation by a wide range of endogenous neutral and acidic ligands.

Crystal structure of the glucocorticoid receptor ligand binding domain reveals a novel mode of receptor dimerization and coactivator recognition.

Transcriptional regulation by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is mediated by hormone binding, receptor dimerization, and coactivator recruitment. Here, we report the crystal structure of the human GR ligand binding domain (LBD) bound to dexamethasone and a coactivator motif derived from the transcriptional intermediary factor 2. Despite structural similarity to other steroid receptors, the GR LBD adopts a surprising dimer configuration involving formation of an intermolecular beta sheet. Functional studies demonstrate that the novel dimer interface is important for GR-mediated activation. The structure also reveals an additional charge clamp that determines the binding selectivity of a coactivator and a distinct ligand binding pocket that explains its selectivity for endogenous steroid hormones. These results establish a framework for understanding the roles of protein-hormone and protein-protein interactions in GR signaling pathways.

Functional consequences of cysteine modification in the ligand binding sites of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors by GW9662.

In the course of a high throughput screen to search for ligands of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma), we identified GW9662 using a competition binding assay against the human ligand binding domain. GW9662 had nanomolar IC(50) versus PPARgamma and was 10- and 600-fold less potent in binding experiments using PPARalpha and PPARdelta, respectively. Pretreatment of all three PPARs with GW9662 resulted in the irreversible loss of ligand binding as assessed by scintillation proximity assay. Incubation of PPAR with GW9662 resulted in a change in the absorbance spectra of the receptors consistent with covalent modification. Mass spectrometric analysis of the PPARgamma ligand binding domain treated with GW9662 established Cys(285) as the site of covalent modification. This cysteine is conserved among all three PPARs. In cell-based reporter assays, GW9662 was a potent and selective antagonist of full-length PPARgamma. The functional activity of GW9662 as an antagonist of PPARgamma was confirmed in an assay of adipocyte differentiation. GW9662 showed essentially no effect on transcription when tested using both full-length PPARdelta and PPARalpha. Time-resolved fluorescence assays of ligand-modulated receptor heterodimerization, coactivator binding, and corepressor binding were consistent with the effects observed in the reporter gene assays. Control activators increased PPAR:RXR heterodimer formation and coactivator binding to both PPARgamma and PPARdelta. Corepressor binding was decreased. In the case of PPARalpha, GW9662 treatment did not significantly increase heterodimerization and coactivator binding or decrease corepressor binding. The experimental data indicate that GW9662 modification of each of the three PPARs results in different functional consequences. The selective and irreversible nature of GW9662 treatment, and the observation that activity is maintained in cell culture experiments, suggests that this compound may be a useful tool for elucidation of the role of PPARgamma in biological processes.