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Peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADs) are important enzymes in many diseases, especially those involving inflammation and autoimmunity. Despite many years of effort, developing isoform-specific inhibitors has been a challenge. We describe herein the discovery of a potent, noncovalent PAD2 inhibitor, with selectivity over PAD3 and PAD4, from a DNA-encoded library. The biochemical and biophysical characterization of this inhibitor and two noninhibitory binders indicated a novel, Ca 2+ competitive mechanism of inhibition. This was confirmed via X-ray crystallographic analysis. Finally, we demonstrate that this inhibitor selectively inhibits PAD2 in a cellular context.

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is activated by ds-DNA binding to produce the secondary messenger 2',3'-cGAMP. cGAS is an important control point in the innate immune response; dysregulation of the cGAS pathway is linked to autoimmune diseases while targeted stimulation may be of benefit in immunoncology. We report here the structure of cGAS with dinucleotides and small molecule inhibitors, and kinetic studies of the cGAS mechanism. Our structural work supports the understanding of how ds-DNA activates cGAS, suggesting a site for small molecule binders that may cause cGAS activation at physiological ATP concentrations, and an apparent hotspot for inhibitor binding. Mechanistic studies of cGAS provide the first kinetic constants for 2',3'-cGAMP formation, and interestingly, describe a catalytic mechanism where 2',3'-cGAMP may be a minor product of cGAS compared with linear nucleotides., (© 2017 The Authors Protein Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Protein Society.)

IL-17A is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting IL-17A signaling have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, but an oral therapy is still lacking. A high affinity IL-17A peptide antagonist (HAP) of 15 residues was identified through phage-display screening followed by saturation mutagenesis optimization and amino acid substitutions. HAP binds specifically to IL-17A and inhibits the interaction of the cytokine with its receptor, IL-17RA. Tested in primary human cells, HAP blocked the production of multiple inflammatory cytokines. Crystal structure studies revealed that two HAP molecules bind to one IL-17A dimer symmetrically. The N-terminal portions of HAP form a β-strand that inserts between two IL-17A monomers while the C-terminal section forms an α helix that directly blocks IL-17RA from binding to the same region of IL-17A. This mode of inhibition suggests opportunities for developing peptide antagonists against this challenging target.

Disrupting the binding interaction between proprotein convertase (PCSK9) and the epidermal growth factor-like domain A (EGF-A domain) in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) is a promising strategy to promote LDL-R recycling and thereby lower circulating cholesterol levels. In this study, truncated 26 amino acid EGF-A analogs were designed and synthesized, and their structures were analyzed in solution and in complex with PCSK9. The most potent peptide had an increased binding affinity for PCSK9 (KD = 0.6 μM) compared with wild-type EGF-A (KD = 1.2 μM), and the ability to increase LDL-R recycling in the presence of PCSK9 in a cell-based assay., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Sirtuins catalyze NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylation and are critical regulators of transcription, apoptosis, metabolism, and aging. There are seven human sirtuins (SIRT1-7), and SIRT1 has been implicated as a key mediator of the pathways downstream of calorie restriction that have been shown to delay the onset and reduce the incidence of age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Increasing SIRT1 activity, either by transgenic overexpression of the Sirt1 gene in mice or by pharmacological activation by small molecule activators resveratrol and SRT1720, has shown beneficial effects in rodent models of type 2 diabetes, indicating that SIRT1 may represent an attractive therapeutic target. Herein, we have assessed purported SIRT1 activators by employing biochemical assays utilizing native substrates, including a p53-derived peptide substrate lacking a fluorophore as well as the purified native full-length protein substrates p53 and acetyl-CoA synthetase1. SRT1720, its structurally related compounds SRT2183 and SRT1460, and resveratrol do not lead to apparent activation of SIRT1 with native peptide or full-length protein substrates, whereas they do activate SIRT1 with peptide substrate containing a covalently attached fluorophore. Employing NMR, surface plasmon resonance, and isothermal calorimetry techniques, we provide evidence that these compounds directly interact with fluorophore-containing peptide substrates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SRT1720 neither lowers plasma glucose nor improves mitochondrial capacity in mice fed a high fat diet. SRT1720, SRT2183, SRT1460, and resveratrol exhibit multiple off-target activities against receptors, enzymes, transporters, and ion channels. Taken together, we conclude that SRT1720, SRT2183, SRT1460, and resveratrol are not direct activators of SIRT1.

DNA ligase catalyzes phosphodiester-bond formation between immediately adjacent 5'-phosphate and 3'-hydroxyl groups in double-stranded DNA and plays a central role in many cellular and biochemical processes, including DNA replication, repair and recombination. Bacterial NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligases have been extensively characterized as potential antibacterial targets because of their essentiality and their structural distinction from human ATP-dependent DNA ligases. The high-resolution structure of the adenylation domain of Staphylococcus aureus NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase establishes the conserved domain architecture with other bacterial adenylation domains. Two apo crystal structures revealed that the active site possesses the preformed NAD(+)-binding pocket and the 'C2 tunnel' lined with hydrophobic residues: Leu80, Phe224, Leu287, Phe295 and Trp302. The C2 tunnel is unique to bacterial DNA ligases and the Leu80 side chain at the mouth of the tunnel points inside the tunnel and forms a narrow funnel in the S. aureus DNA ligase structure. Taken together with other DNA ligase structures, the S. aureus DNA ligase structure provides a basis for a more integrated understanding of substrate recognition and catalysis and will be also be of help in the development of small-molecule inhibitors.

The circadian clock links our daily cycles of sleep and activity to the external environment. Deregulation of the clock is implicated in a number of human disorders, including depression, seasonal affective disorder, and metabolic disorders. Casein kinase 1 epsilon (CK1epsilon) and casein kinase 1 delta (CK1delta) are closely related Ser-Thr protein kinases that serve as key clock regulators as demonstrated by mammalian mutations in each that dramatically alter the circadian period. Therefore, inhibitors of CK1delta/epsilon may have utility in treating circadian disorders. Although we previously demonstrated that a pan-CK1delta/epsilon inhibitor, 4-[3-cyclohexyl-5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3H-imidazol-4-yl]-pyrimidin-2-ylamine (PF-670462), causes a significant phase delay in animal models of circadian rhythm, it remains unclear whether one of the kinases has a predominant role in regulating the circadian clock. To test this, we have characterized 3-(3-chloro-phenoxymethyl)-1-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ylamine (PF-4800567), a novel and potent inhibitor of CK1epsilon (IC(50) = 32 nM) with greater than 20-fold selectivity over CK1delta. PF-4800567 completely blocks CK1epsilon-mediated PER3 nuclear localization and PER2 degradation. In cycling Rat1 fibroblasts and a mouse model of circadian rhythm, however, PF-4800567 has only a minimal effect on the circadian clock at concentrations substantially over its CK1epsilon IC(50). This is in contrast to the pan-CK1delta/epsilon inhibitor PF-670462 that robustly alters the circadian clock under similar conditions. These data indicate that CK1epsilon is not the predominant mediator of circadian timing relative to CK1delta. PF-4800567 should prove useful in probing unique roles between these two kinases in multiple signaling pathways.

Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) is a cytoplasmic, non-receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in multiple signaling pathways. It is a negative regulator of osteogenesis and considered a viable drug target for osteoporosis treatment. The high-resolution structures of the human PYK2 kinase domain with different inhibitor complexes establish the conventional bilobal kinase architecture and show the conformational variability of the DFG loop. The basis for the lack of selectivity for the classical kinase inhibitor, PF-431396, within the FAK family is explained by our structural analyses. Importantly, the novel DFG-out conformation with two diarylurea inhibitors (BIRB796, PF-4618433) reveals a distinct subclass of non-receptor tyrosine kinases identifiable by the gatekeeper Met-502 and the unique hinge loop conformation of Leu-504. This is the first example of a leucine residue in the hinge loop that blocks the ATP binding site in the DFG-out conformation. Our structural, biophysical, and pharmacological studies suggest that the unique features of the DFG motif, including Leu-504 hinge-loop variability, can be exploited for the development of selective protein kinase inhibitors.

Cancer cells are characterized by the ability to grow in an anchorage-independent manner. The activity of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), is thought to contribute to this phenotype. FAK localizes in focal adhesion plaques and has a role as a scaffolding and signaling protein for other adhesion molecules. Recent studies show a strong correlation between increased FAK expression and phosphorylation status and the invasive phenotype of aggressive human tumors. PF-562,271 is a potent, ATP-competitive, reversible inhibitor of FAK and Pyk2 catalytic activity with a IC(50) of 1.5 and 14 nmol/L, respectively. Additionally, PF-562,271 displayed robust inhibition in an inducible cell-based assay measuring phospho-FAK with an IC(50) of 5 nmol/L. PF-562,271 was evaluated against multiple kinases and displays >100x selectivity against a long list of nontarget kinases. PF-562,271 inhibits FAK phosphorylation in vivo in a dose-dependent fashion (calculated EC(50) of 93 ng/mL, total) after p.o. administration to tumor-bearing mice. In vivo inhibition of FAK phosphorylation (>50%) was sustained for >4 hours with a single p.o. dose of 33 mg/kg. Antitumor efficacy and regressions were observed in multiple human s.c. xenograft models. No weight loss, morbidity, or mortality were observed in any in vivo experiment. Tumor growth inhibition was dose and drug exposure dependent. Taken together, these data show that kinase inhibition with an ATP-competitive small molecule inhibitor of FAK decreases the phospho-status in vivo, resulting in robust antitumor activity.

Activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB), a type II TGF-beta serine/threonine kinase receptor, is integral to the activin and myostatin signaling pathway. Ligands such as activin and myostatin bind to activin type II receptors (ActRIIA, ActRIIB), and the GS domains of type I receptors are phosphorylated by type II receptors. Myostatin, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, is regarded as a potential therapeutic target and binds to ActRIIB effectively, and to a lesser extent, to ActRIIA. The high-resolution structure of human ActRIIB kinase domain in complex with adenine establishes the conserved bilobal architecture consistent with all other catalytic kinase domains. The crystal structure reveals that the adenine has a considerably different orientation from that of the adenine moiety of ATP observed in other kinase structures due to the lack of an interaction by ribose-phosphate moiety and the presence of tautomers with two different protonation states at the N9 nitrogen. Although the Lys217-Glu230 salt bridge is absent, the unphosphorylated activation loop of ActRIIB adopts a conformation similar to that of the fully active form. Unlike the type I TGF-beta receptor, where a partially conserved Ser280 is a gatekeeper residue, the AcRIIB structure possesses Thr265 with a back pocket supported by Phe247. Taken together, these structural features provide a molecular basis for understanding the coupled activity and recognition specificity for human ActRIIB kinase domain and for the rational design of selective inhibitors.

Sorbitol dehydrogenase (hSDH) and aldose reductase form the polyol pathway that interconverts glucose and fructose. Redox changes from overproduction of the coenzyme NADH by SDH may play a role in diabetes-induced dysfunction in sensitive tissues, making SDH a therapeutic target for diabetic complications. We have purified and determined the crystal structures of human SDH alone, SDH with NAD(+), and SDH with NADH and an inhibitor that is competitive with fructose. hSDH is a tetramer of identical, catalytically active subunits. In the apo and NAD(+) complex, the catalytic zinc is coordinated by His69, Cys44, Glu70, and a water molecule. The inhibitor coordinates the zinc through an oxygen and a nitrogen atom with the concomitant dissociation of Glu70. The inhibitor forms hydrophobic interactions to NADH and likely sterically occludes substrate binding. The structure of the inhibitor complex provides a framework for developing more potent inhibitors of hSDH.

A Staphylococcus aureus mutant conditionally defective in DNA ligase was identified by isolation of complementing plasmid clones that encode the S. aureus ligA gene. Orthologues of the putative S. aureus NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase could be identified in the genomes of Bacillus stearothermophilus and other gram-positive bacteria and confirmed the presence of four conserved amino acid motifs, including motif I, KXDG with lysine 112, which is believed to be the proposed site of adenylation. DNA sequence comparison of the ligA genes from wild type and temperature-sensitive S. aureus strain NT64 identified a single base alteration that is predicted to result in the amino acid substitution E46G. The S. aureus ligA gene was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme was purified to near homogeneity. NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase activity was demonstrated with the purified enzyme by measuring ligation of (32)P-labeled 30-mer and 29-mer oligonucleotides annealed to a complementary strand of DNA. Limited proteolysis of purified S. aureus DNA ligase by thermolysin produced products with apparent molecular masses of 40, 22, and 21 kDa. The fragments were purified and characterized by N-terminal sequencing and mass analysis. The N-terminal fragment (40 kDa) was found to be fully adenylated. A fragment from residues 1 to 315 was expressed as a His-tagged fusion in E. coli and purified for functional analysis. Following deadenylation with nicotinamide mononucleotide, the purified fragment could self-adenylate but lacked detectable DNA binding activity. The 21- and 22-kDa C-terminal fragments, which lacked the last 76 amino acids of the DNA ligase, had no adenylation activity or DNA binding activity. The intact 30-kDa C terminus of the S. aureus LigA protein expressed in E. coli did demonstrate DNA binding activity. These observations suggest that, as in the case with the NAD(+)-dependent DNA ligase from B. stearothermophilus, two independent functional domains exist in S. aureus DNA ligase, consisting of separate adenylation and DNA binding activities. They also demonstrate a role for the extreme C terminus of the ligase in DNA binding. As there is much evidence to suggest that DNA ligase is essential for bacterial survival, its discovery in the important human pathogen S. aureus indicates its potential as a broad-spectrum antibacterial target for the identification of novel antibiotics.

A new class of glutathione transferases has been discovered by analysis of the expressed sequence tag data base and sequence alignment. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) of the new class, named Omega, exist in several mammalian species and Caenorhabditis elegans. In humans, GSTO 1-1 is expressed in most tissues and exhibits glutathione-dependent thiol transferase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities characteristic of the glutaredoxins. The structure of GSTO 1-1 has been determined at 2.0-A resolution and has a characteristic GST fold (Protein Data Bank entry code ). The Omega class GSTs exhibit an unusual N-terminal extension that abuts the C terminus to form a novel structural unit. Unlike other mammalian GSTs, GSTO 1-1 appears to have an active site cysteine that can form a disulfide bond with glutathione.

Repetitive DNA sequences were detected directly on somatic metaphase chromosome spreads from soybean root tips using fluorescent in situ hybridization. Methods to spread the forty small metaphase chromosomes substantially free of cellular material were developed using protoplasts. The specific DNA probe was a 1.05 kb internal fragment of a soybean gene encoding the 18S ribosomal RNA subunit. Two methods of incorporating biotin residues into the probe were compared and detection was accomplished with fluorescein-labeled avidin. The rDNA probe exhibits distinct yellow fluorescent signals on only two of the forty metaphase chromosomes that have been counterstained with propidium iodide. This result agrees with our previous analyses of soybean pachytene chromosomes showing that only chromosome 13 is closely associated with the nucleolus organizer region. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with the rDNA probe was detected on three of the forty-one metaphase chromosomes in plants that are trisomic for chromosome 13.

Products from the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (IP3) can increase and/or potentiate cAMP accumulation in a variety of cells. Antibody to surface immunoglobulins activates IP3 hydrolysis in B-lymphocytes. In this study we have examined whether anti-Ig also stimulated and/or potentiated increases in the cAMP levels of splenocytes from athymic nude mice. Furthermore, since TPA potentiates anti-Ig-induced DNA synthesis and cAMP modulates DNA synthesis, the effects of TPA on any anti-Ig-induced changes in cAMP were also studied. Antibody (25 micrograms/ml) stimulated a rapid ris in cAMP which increased from 250 fmol/10(6) cells to 400 fmol/10(6) cells within 1 min and then subsided to 310 fmol/10(6) cells by 10 min. TPA (96 nM) suppressed the anti-Ig-induced cAMP accumulation at 1 min by 60%, but potentiated the forskolin (114 microM)-induced rise by 151%. Two other activators of protein kinase C, dioctanoylglycerol (5 microM), and anti-Ig (25 micrograms/ml), also potentiated the forskolin response by 198% and 52%, respectively. These results suggest that modulation of the adenylate cyclase system by anti-Ig may act in concert with cytokines and/or prostaglandins secreted by other lymphoid cells to define the state of proliferation or differentiation in B-cells.