Modulating FOXO3 transcriptional activity by small, DBD-binding molecules.

FOXO transcription factors are critical regulators of cell homeostasis and steer cell death, differentiation and longevity in mammalian cells. By combined pharmacophore-modeling-based in silico and fluorescence polarization-based screening we identified small molecules that physically interact with the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of FOXO3 and modulate the FOXO3 transcriptional program in human cells. The mode of interaction between compounds and the FOXO3-DBD was assessed NMR spectroscopy and docking studies.

The redox-active site of thioredoxin is directly involved in apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 binding that is modulated by oxidative stress.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a ubiquitously expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5, which mediates various stress signals including oxidative stress. The catalytic activity of ASK1 is tightly controlled by oligomerization and binding of several cofactors. Among these cofactors, thioredoxin stands out as the most important ASK1 inhibitor, but only the reduced form of thioredoxin inhibits ASK1 by direct binding to its N-terminal domain.

Forkhead Domains of FOXO Transcription Factors Differ in both Overall Conformation and Dynamics.

FOXO transcription factors regulate cellular homeostasis, longevity and response to stress. FOXO1 (also known as FKHR) is a key regulator of hepatic glucose production and lipid metabolism, and its specific inhibition may have beneficial effects on diabetic hyperglycemia by reducing hepatic glucose production. Moreover, all FOXO proteins are considered potential drug targets for drug resistance prevention in cancer therapy.

14-3-3 protein masks the nuclear localization sequence of caspase-2.

Caspase-2 is an apical protease responsible for the proteolysis of cellular substrates directly involved in mediating apoptotic signaling cascades. Caspase-2 activation is inhibited by phosphorylation followed by binding to the scaffolding protein 14-3-3, which recognizes two phosphoserines located in the linker between the caspase recruitment domain and the p19 domains of the caspase-2 zymogen. However, the structural details of this interaction and the exact role of 14-3-3 in the regulation of caspase-2 activation remain unclear.

CaMKK2 kinase domain interacts with the autoinhibitory region through the N-terminal lobe including the RP insert.

Background: Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2), a member of the Ca⁠/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) family, functions as an upstream activator of CaMKI, CaMKIV and AMP-activated protein kinase. Thus, CaMKK2 is involved in the regulation of several key physiological and pathophysiological processes. Previous studies have suggested that Ca/CaM binding may cause unique conformational changes in the CaMKKs compared with other CaMKs.

14-3-3 protein directly interacts with the kinase domain of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK2).

Background: Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) is a member of the Ca/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) family involved in adiposity regulation, glucose homeostasis and cancer. This upstream activator of CaMKI, CaMKIV and AMP-activated protein kinase is inhibited by phosphorylation, which also triggers an association with the scaffolding protein 14-3-3. However, the role of 14-3-3 in the regulation of CaMKK2 remains unknown.

Cysteine residues mediate high-affinity binding of thioredoxin to ASK1.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1, MAP3K5) activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase in response to proinflammatory and stress signals. In nonstress conditions, ASK1 is inhibited by association with thioredoxin (TRX) which binds to the TRX-binding domain (ASK1-TBD) at the N terminus of ASK1. TRX dissociates in response to oxidative stress allowing the ASK1 activation.

Biophysical and structural characterization of the thioredoxin-binding domain of protein kinase ASK1 and its interaction with reduced thioredoxin.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Its activity is regulated by thioredoxin (TRX1) but the precise mechanism of this regulation is unclear due to the lack of structural data. Here, we performed biophysical and structural characterization of the TRX1-binding domain of ASK1 (ASK1-TBD) and its complex with reduced TRX1.