Biophysical and Structural Methods to Study the bHLHZip Region of Human c-MYC.

The C-terminal region of the c-MYC transcription factor consists of approximately 100 amino acids that in its native state does not adopt a stable structure. When this region binds to the obligatory partner MAX via a coupled folding-and-binding mechanism, it forms a basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLHZip) heterodimeric complex. The C-terminal region of MYC is the target for numerous drug discovery programs for direct MYC inhibition via blocking the dimerization event and/or binding to DNA, and a proper understanding of the partially folded, dynamic nature of the heterodimeric complex is essential to these efforts.

SWI/SNF subunit BAF155 N-terminus structure informs the impact of cancer-associated mutations and reveals a potential drug binding site.

SWI/SNF (BAF) chromatin remodelling complexes are key regulators of gene expression programs, and attractive drug targets for cancer therapies. Here we show that the N-terminus of the BAF155/SMARCC1 subunit contains a putative DNA-binding MarR-like domain, a chromodomain and a BRCT domain that are interconnected to each other to form a distinct module. In this structure the chromodomain makes interdomain interactions and has lost its canonical function to bind to methylated lysines.

Structure of the BRK domain of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex subunit BRG1 reveals a potential role in protein-protein interactions.

BRG1/SMARCA4 and its paralog BRM/SMARCA2 are the ATPase subunits of human SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes. These multisubunit assemblies can act as either tumor suppressors or drivers of cancer, and inhibiting both BRG1 and BRM, is emerging as an effective therapeutic strategy in diverse cancers. BRG1 and BRM contain a BRK domain.

Crystal Structures and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of the Apo Form of the c-MYC:MAX bHLHZip Complex Reveal a Helical Basic Region in the Absence of DNA.

The c-MYC transcription factor is a master regulator of cell growth and proliferation and is an established target for cancer therapy. This basic helix-loop-helix Zip protein forms a heterodimer with its obligatory partner MAX, which binds to DNA via the basic region. Considerable research efforts are focused on targeting the heterodimerization interface and the interaction of the complex with DNA.

The structure of INI1/hSNF5 RPT1 and its interactions with the c-MYC:MAX heterodimer provide insights into the interplay between MYC and the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.

c-MYC and the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex act as master regulators of transcription, and play a key role in human cancer. Although they are known to interact, the molecular details of their interaction are lacking. We have determined the structure of the RPT1 region of the INI1/hSNF5/BAF47/SMARCB1 subunit of the SWI/SNF complex that acts as a c-MYC-binding domain, and have localized the interaction regions on both INI1 and on the c-MYC:MAX heterodimer.

A selective high affinity MYC-binding compound inhibits MYC:MAX interaction and MYC-dependent tumor cell proliferation.

MYC is a key player in tumor development, but unfortunately no specific MYC-targeting drugs are clinically available. MYC is strictly dependent on heterodimerization with MAX for transcription activation. Aiming at targeting this interaction, we identified MYCMI-6 in a cell-based protein interaction screen for small inhibitory molecules.

A New Way Forward in Cancer Drug Discovery: Inhibiting the SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodelling Complex.

Mutations in subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex are found in 20 % of human cancers. At face value, this would appear to indicate that this multiprotein complex is a potent tumour suppressor. However, it has recently emerged that some mutations in the SWI/SNF complex can have a gain-of-function effect and that in other tumours, such as pancreatic cancer, leukaemia, and breast cancer, the wild-type complex is used to drive cancer.

Targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of transcription factors: Challenges of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and regions (IDRs).

In this review we discuss recent progress in targeting the protein-protein interactions made by oncogenic transcription factors. We particularly focus on the challenges posed by the prevalence of intrinsically disordered regions in this class of protein and the strategies being used to overcome them.

The SWI/SNF Subunit INI1 Contains an N-Terminal Winged Helix DNA Binding Domain that Is a Target for Mutations in Schwannomatosis.

SWI/SNF complexes use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to remodel chromatin. In mammals they play a central role in regulating gene expression during differentiation and proliferation. Mutations in SWI/SNF subunits are among the most frequent gene alterations in cancer.

Investigation of the protein alkylation sites of the STAT3:STAT3 inhibitor Stattic by mass spectrometry.

STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription factor 3) is constitutively active in a wide range of human tumours. Stattic is one of the first non-peptidic small molecules reported to inhibit formation of the STAT3:STAT3 protein dimer complex. A mass spectrometry method has been developed to investigate the binding of Stattic to the un-phosphorylated STAT3βtc (U-STAT3) protein.

Observation of unphosphorylated STAT3 core protein binding to target dsDNA by PEMSA and X-ray crystallography.

The STAT3 transcription factor plays a central role in a wide range of cancer types where it is over-expressed. Previously, phosphorylation of this protein was thought to be a prerequisite for direct binding to DNA. However, we have now shown complete binding of a purified unphosphorylated STAT3 (uSTAT3) core directly to M67 DNA, the high affinity STAT3 target DNA sequence, by a protein electrophoretic mobility shift assay (PEMSA).

Small-molecule inhibition of c-MYC:MAX leucine zipper formation is revealed by ion mobility mass spectrometry.

The leucine zipper interaction between MAX and c-MYC has been studied using mass spectrometry and drift time ion mobility mass spectrometry (DT IM-MS) in addition to circular dichroism spectroscopy. Peptides comprising the leucine zipper sequence with (c-MYC-Zip residues 402-434) and without a postulated small-molecule binding region (c-MYC-ZipΔDT residues 406-434) have been synthesized, along with the corresponding MAX leucine zipper (MAX-Zip residues 74-102). c-MYC-Zip:MAX-Zip complexes are observed both in the absence and in the presence of the reported small-molecule inhibitor 10058-F4 for both forms of c-MYC-Zip.

Molecular dynamics studies of the STAT3 homodimer:DNA complex: relationships between STAT3 mutations and protein-DNA recognition.

Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT) proteins are a group of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors involved in cytokine signaling. STAT3 is a member of the STAT family and is expressed at elevated levels in a large number of diverse human cancers and is now a validated target for anticancer drug discovery..

A novel small-molecule inhibitor of IL-6 signalling.

A small library of pyrrolidinesulphonylaryl molecules has been synthesized via an efficient 4-step route, and members evaluated for their ability to inhibit IL-6 signalling. One molecule (6a) was found to have promising activity against IL-6/STAT3 signalling at the low micromolar level, and to selectively inhibit phosphorylation of STAT3 (but not STAT1) in IL-6 stimulated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and HeLa cell lines. It was also selectively cytostatic in MDA-MB-231 (STAT3-dependent) versus A4 (STAT3-null) cells suggesting STAT3-specific inhibitory properties.

Facile nucleophilic substitution at the C3a tertiary carbon of the 3a-bromohexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole scaffold.

The synthesis of 3a-substituted hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole derivatives via nucleophilic substitution at the C3a position is reported. Nitrogen-, oxygen-, sulfur-, fluoro- and carbon-based nucleophiles have been employed, using both conventional organic solvents and ionic liquids. The C3a-substituted derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields.

Facile oxidation of electron-poor benzo[b]thiophenes to the corresponding sulfones with an aqueous solution of H2O2 and P2O5.

A facile oxidation for the clean conversion of benzo[b]thiophenes to their corresponding sulfones is described employing an aqueous solution of H(2)O(2) and P(2)O(5); the solution can be prepared and stored on a multi-gram scale with a shelf-life of up to two weeks.

Targeting protein-protein interactions for therapeutic intervention: a challenge for the future.

Background: Over the last two decades, an increasing research effort in academia and industry has focused on the modulation (both inhibition and stabilization) of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in order to develop novel therapeutic approaches and target-selective agents in drug discovery.

Discussion: The diversity and complexity of highly dynamic systems such as PPIs present many challenges for the identification of drug-like molecules with the ability to modulate the PPI with the necessary selectivity and potency. In this review, a number of these strategies will be presented along with a critical overview of the challenges and potential solutions relating to the exploitation of PPIs as molecular targets.

Natural-product-like spiroketals and fused bicyclic acetals as potential therapeutic agents for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukaemia in the Western world for which no curative treatments are currently available. Purine nucleotide analogues and alkylating agents feature frequently in combination regimens to treat the malignant state, but their use has not led to any significant improvement in patient survival. Consequently, there still remains a need for alternative small-molecule chemotherapeutics.

Chemical variation of natural product-like scaffolds: design and synthesis of spiroketal derivatives.

The design and synthesis of spiroketal structures and their chemical modification, leading to a collection of new small molecules for biological evaluation as orally-bioavailable lead compounds is described. Both [6,5]- and [6,6]-membered ring spiroketal units have been prepared in a stereochemically-varying fashion starting from commercially available (R)- or (S)-glycidol, in ten, eleven and twelve linear steps, in overall yields of 45, 40 and 20%, respectively. Further elaboration according to Lipinski's guidelines has given a collection of structurally-diverse, new spiroketal derivatives in high yields and with high purity.

Polymer-supported haloarene chromium dicarbonyl isonitrile complexes: a study of their synthesis and reactivity.

Different arene Cr(CO)(3) complexes were supported on a polystyrene isonitrile resin by photochemical-promoted replacement of a chromium carbonyl ligand by the NC group. The supported complexes proved to be stable and were successfully used for further transformations. In particular, the reactivity of dichlorobenzene complexes to different nucleophiles was investigated and found to be comparable with that of the parent Cr(CO)(3) complexes.

Synthesis of chiral chromium tricarbonyl labeled thymine PNA monomers via the Ugi reaction.

[reaction: see text] Ugi condensation was used to synthesize the first examples of chiral racemic Ar.Cr(CO)(3) labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) monomers bearing the organometallic moiety linked to the alpha-carbon of the glycine unit.