Homogeneous Cell- and Bead-Based Assays for High Throughput Screening Using Fluorometric Microvolume Assay Technology

High throughput drug screening has become a critical component of the drug discovery process. The screening of libraries containing hundreds of thousands of compounds has resulted in a requirement for assays and instrumentation that are amenable to nonradioactive formats and that can be miniaturized. Homogeneous assays that minimize upstream automation of the individual assays are also preferable. Fluorometric microvolume assay technology (FMAT) is a fluorescence-based platform for the development of nonradioactive cell- and bead-based assays for HTS. This technology is plate format-independent, and while it was designed specifically for homogeneous ligand binding and immunological assays, it is amenable to any assay utilizing a fluorescent cell or bead. The instrument fits on a standard laboratory bench and consists of a laser scanner that generates a 1 mm(2) digitized image of a 100-μmm deep section of the bottom of a microwell plate. The instrument is directly compatible with a Zymark Twistertrade mark (Zymark Corp., Hopkinton, MA) for robotic loading of the scanner and unattended operation in HTS mode. Fluorescent cells or beads at the bottom of the well are detected as localized areas of concentrated fluorescence using data processing. Unbound flurophore comprising the background signal is ignored, allowing for the development of a wide variety of homogeneous assays. The use of FMAT for peptide ligand binding assays, immunofluorescence, apoptosis and cytotoxicity, and bead-based immunocapture assays is described here, along with a general overview of the instrument and software.     

A high-throughput, nonisotopic, competitive binding assay for kinases using nonselective inhibitor probes (ED-NSIP)

A novel competitive binding assay for protein kinase inhibitors has been developed for high-throughput screening (HTS). Unlike functional kinase assays, which are based on detection of substrate phosphorylation by the enzyme, this novel method directly measures the binding potency of compounds to the kinase ATP binding site through competition with a conjugated binding probe. The binding interaction is coupled to a signal amplification system based on complementation of beta-galactosidase enzyme fragments, a homogeneous, nonisotopic assay technology platform developed by DiscoveRx Corp. In the present study, staurosporine, a potent, nonselective kinase inhibitor, was chemically conjugated to a small fragment of beta-galactosidase (termed ED-SS). This was used as the binding probe to the kinase ATP binding pocket. The binding potencies of several inhibitors with diverse structures were assessed by displacement of ED-SS from the kinase. The assay format was specifically evaluated with GSK3alpha, an enzyme previously screened in a radioactive kinase assay (i.e., measurement of [(33)P]-gamma-ATP incorporation into the kinase peptide substrate). Under optimized assay conditions, nonconjugated staurosporine inhibited ED-SS binding in a concentration-dependent manner with an apparent potency (IC(50)) of 11 nM, which was similar to the IC(50) value determined in a radioactive assay. Furthermore, 9 kinase inhibitors with diverse structures, previously identified from chemical compound library screening, were screened using the competitive binding assay. The potencies in the binding assay were in very good agreement with those obtained previously in the isotopic functional activity assay. The binding assay was adapted for automated HTS using selected compound libraries in a 384-well microtiter plate format. The HTS assay was observed to be highly robust and reproducible (Z' factors > 0.7) with high interassay precision (R(2) > 0.96). Interference of compounds with the beta-galactosidase signal readout was negligible. In conclusion, the DiscoveRx competitive kinase binding assay, termed ED-NSIP trade mark, provides a novel method for screening kinase inhibitors. The format is homogeneous, robust, and amenable to automation. Because there is no requirement for substrate-specific antibodies, the assay is particularly applicable to Ser/Thr kinase assay, in which difficulties in identifying a suitable substrate and antibody preclude development of nonisotopic assays. Although the nonselective kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, was used here, chemically conjugating the ED fragment to other small molecule enzyme inhibitors is also feasible, suggesting that the format is generally applicable to other enzyme systems.     

A high-throughput hybridoma selection method using fluorometric microvolume assay technology

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are not only useful reagents but also represent a promising type of therapeutics due to their high affinity and exquisite specificity for their antigens. A critical step in mAb generation is to identify antigen-specific antibodies. Although enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been broadly applied for antibody selection against secreted antigens, an inherent disadvantage for ELISA is the difficulty in identifying antibodies that recognize the native conformation of cell surface antigens. To overcome this drawback, the authors have developed a high-throughput cell-based antibody binding assay using fluorometric microvolume assay technology (FMAT). This method offers a homogeneous assay for detection of antibody binding to its antigen on the cell surface. To distinguish antibodies that bind to antigen on the cell surface from those that bind nonspecifically to cells, the binding is assessed using both antigen-expressing cells and related cells devoid of the antigen expression. This assay can detect antibodies at a concentration as low as 5 ng/mL and cell surface antigen as low as 9000 copies per cell. Results demonstrate that the FMAT method provides a sensitive and homogeneous assay to detect antibody binding to cell surface antigens and is amenable for high-throughput hybridoma selection.     

High throughput screening for small molecule therapy for Gaucher disease using patient tissue as the source of mutant glucocerebrosidase

Gaucher disease (GD), the most common lysosomal storage disorder, results from the inherited deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase). Previously, wildtype GCase was used for high throughput screening (HTS) of large collections of compounds to identify small molecule chaperones that could be developed as new therapies for GD. However, the compounds identified from HTS usually showed reduced potency later in confirmatory cell-based assays. An alternate strategy is to perform HTS on mutant enzyme to identify different lead compounds, including those enhancing mutant enzyme activities. We developed a new screening assay using enzyme extract prepared from the spleen of a patient with Gaucher disease with genotype N370S/N370S. In tissue extracts, GCase is in a more native physiological environment, and is present with the native activator saposin C and other potential cofactors. Using this assay, we screened a library of 250,000 compounds and identified novel modulators of mutant GCase including 14 new lead inhibitors and 30 lead activators. The activities of some of the primary hits were confirmed in subsequent cell-based assays using patient-derived fibroblasts. These results suggest that primary screening assays using enzyme extracted from tissues is an alternative approach to identify high quality, physiologically relevant lead compounds for drug development.     

Utilization of fluorescence polarization and time resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay formats for SAR studies: Src kinase as a model system

High-throughput screening (HTS), a major component of lead identification, often utilizes fluorescence-based assay technologies. For example, HTS kinase assays are formatted using a variety of fluorescence-based assay technologies including, but not limited to, dissociation enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassay (DELFIA), time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET), and fluorescence polarization (FP). These assays offer tremendous advantages such as a nonradioactive format, ease of automation, and excellent reproducibility. Fluorescence-based assays frequently used for lead identification can also be useful for structure activity relationship (SAR) studies during lead optimization. An important issue when assessing an assay to be used for SAR is the ability of the assay to discriminate high-affinity small molecule inhibitors (pM-nM) from low-affinity inhibitors (microM-mM). The purpose of this study was to utilize HTS-friendly assay formats for SAR by developing TR-FRET, FP, and DELFIAassays measuring Src kinase activity and to define the theoretical lower limit of small molecule inhibitor detection achievable with these assay formats. The authors show that 2 homogeneous assay formats, TR-FRET and FP, allowed for the development of Src kinase assays with a lower limit of detection of K(i) = 0.01 nM. This study indicates that assay technologies typically used for HTS can be used during lead optimization by providing quantitative measurements of compound activity critical to driving SAR studies.     

An improved zinc cocktail-mediated fluorescence polarization-based kinase assay for high-throughput screening of kinase inhibitors

During the past few years, high-throughput screening (HTS) has provided a useful resource to researchers involved in the development of kinase inhibitors as a novel therapeutic modality. However, with all the choices among kinase assays, there is not yet a one-size-fits-all assay. Therefore, selection of a specific kinase assay is a daunting task. HTS assays should be homogeneous, cost effective, use nonradioactive reagents, generic and not time consuming. Here, we report an improved method of assaying protein kinase activity using a zinc cocktail in a fluorescence polarization-(FP) based format. Assay conditions were standardized manually and validated in a HTS format using a liquid handler. We validated this assay for both serine/threonine and tyrosine (receptor/nonreceptor) kinases. The results obtained in the HTS assay system were comparable to the commercially available fluorescence-based assay. We suggest that the reported assay is a cost-effective alternative to the IMAP-based generic kinase assay.     

Three mechanistically distinct kinase assays compared: Measurement of intrinsic ATPase activity identified the most comprehensive set of ITK inhibitors

Numerous assay methods have been developed to identify small-molecule effectors of protein kinases, but no single method can be applied to all isolated kinases. The authors developed a set of 3 high-throughput screening (HTS)-compatible biochemical assays that can measure 3 mechanistically distinct properties of a kinase active site, with the goal that at least 1 of the 3 would be applicable to any kinase selected as a target for drug discovery efforts. Two assays measure catalytically active enzyme: A dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmuno assay (DELFIA) uses an antibody to quantitate the generation of phosphorylated substrate; a second assay uses luciferase to measure the consumption of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during either phosphoryl-transfer to a peptide substrate or to water (intrinsic ATPase activity). A third assay, which is not dependent on a catalytically active enzyme, measures the competition for binding to kinase between an inhibitor and a fluorescent ATP binding site probe. To evaluate the suitability of these assays for drug discovery, the authors compared their ability to identify inhibitors of a nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase from the Tec family, interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK). The 3 assays agreed on 57% of the combined confirmed hit set identified from screening a 10,208-compound library enriched with known kinase inhibitors and molecules that were structurally similar. Among the 3 assays, the one measuring intrinsic ATPase activity produced the largest number of unique hits, the fewest unique misses, and the most comprehensive hit set, missing only 2.7% of the confirmed inhibitors identified by the other 2 assays combined. Based on these data, all 3 assay formats are viable for screening and together provide greater options for assay design depending on the targeted kinase.     

Evaluation of division-arrested cells for cell-based high-throughput screening and profiling

Just-in-time cell supply for cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) is frequently problematic. In addition to scheduling and logistical issues, quality issues and variability due to passage effect, cell cycle, or confluency contribute to day-to-day signal variability in the course of cell-based HTS campaigns. Cell division-arrest and cryopreservation technologies permit the use of cells as assay-ready reagents for HTS and other cell-based profiling and structure-activity studies. In this report, the authors compare division-arrested and dividing cells in 2 assay types that are dependent on movement of proteins within or through cell membranes: a receptor tyrosine kinase assay involving A431 cells responsive to epidermal growth factor, and a secretion reporter assay, which measures secretion of a reporter gene, secreted alkaline phosphatase. In both assays, dividing and division-arrested cells yielded similar basal and maximal signals at a given cell density. Similar IC50s were obtained for reference inhibitors in each assay, type in both dividing and division-arrested cells. In addition, for the secretion reporter assay, when comparing IC50s obtained from 44 compounds randomly chosen from a primary screening hit list, the rank order of potency obtained from dividing cells and division-arrested cells was essentially identical. Furthermore, the results show that, under certain assay conditions, data generated using division-arrested cells are less variable than those generated using dividing cells. In summary, the results suggest that, in many cases, division-arrested cells can substitute for dividing cells and offer certain advantages for cell-based assays.     

Comparison of assay technologies for a tyrosine kinase assay generates different results in high throughput screening

In today's high-throughput screening (HTS) environment, an increasing number of assay detection technologies are routinely utilized in lead finding programs. Because of the relatively broad applicability of several of these technologies, one is often faced with a choice of which technology to utilize for a specific assay. The aim of this study was to address the question of whether the same compounds would be identified from screening a set of samples in three different versions of an HTS assay. Here, three different versions of a tyrosine kinase assay were established using scintillation proximity assay (SPA), homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (HTR-FRET), and fluorescence polarization (FP) technologies. In this study, 30,000 compounds were evaluated in each version of the kinase assay in primary screening, deconvolution, and dose-response experiments. From this effort, there was only a small degree of overlap of active compounds identified subsequent to the deconvolution experiment. When all active compounds were then profiled in all three assays, 100 and 101 active compounds were identified in the HTR-FRET and FP assays, respectively. In contrast, 40 compounds were identified in the SPA version of the kinase assay, whereas all of these compounds were detected in the HTR-FRET assay only 35 were active in the FP assay. Although there was good correlation between the IC(50) values obtained in the HTR-FRET and FP assays, poor correlations were obtained with the IC(50) values obtained in the SPA assay. These findings suggest that significant differences can be observed from HTS depending on the assay technology that is utilized, particularly in assays with high hit rates.     

Novel patient cell-based HTS assay for identification of small molecules for a lysosomal storage disease

Small molecules have been identified as potential therapeutic agents for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), inherited metabolic disorders caused by defects in proteins that result in lysosome dysfunctional. Some small molecules function assisting the folding of mutant misfolded lysosomal enzymes that are otherwise degraded in ER-associated degradation. The ultimate result is the enhancement of the residual enzymatic activity of the deficient enzyme. Most of the high throughput screening (HTS) assays developed to identify these molecules are single-target biochemical assays. Here we describe a cell-based assay using patient cell lines to identify small molecules that enhance the residual arylsulfatase A (ASA) activity found in patients with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a progressive neurodegenerative LSD. In order to generate sufficient cell lines for a large scale HTS, primary cultured fibroblasts from MLD patients were transformed using SV40 large T antigen. These SV40 transformed (SV40t) cells showed to conserve biochemical characteristics of the primary cells. Using a specific colorimetric substrate para-nitrocatechol sulfate (pNCS), detectable ASA residual activity were observed in primary and SV40t fibroblasts from a MLD patient (ASA-I179S) cultured in multi-well plates. A robust fluorescence ASA assay was developed in high-density 1,536-well plates using the traditional colorimetric pNCS substrate, whose product (pNC) acts as "plate fluorescence quencher" in white solid-bottom plates. The quantitative cell-based HTS assay for ASA generated strong statistical parameters when tested against a diverse small molecule collection. This cell-based assay approach can be used for several other LSDs and genetic disorders, especially those that rely on colorimetric substrates which traditionally present low sensitivity for assay-miniaturization. In addition, the quantitative cell-based HTS assay here developed using patient cells creates an opportunity to identify therapeutic small molecules in a disease-cellular environment where potentially disrupted pathways are exposed and available as targets.     

Development, validation and implementation of immobilized metal affinity for phosphochemicals (IMAP)-based high-throughput screening assays for low-molecular-weight compound libraries

This protocol describes assay development, validation and implementation of automated immobilized metal affinity for phosphochemicals (IMAP)-based fluorescence polarization (FP) and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) high-throughput screening (HTS) assays for identification of low-molecular-weight kinase inhibitors. Both procedures are performed in miniaturized kinase reaction volumes and involve the stepwise addition of test or control compounds, enzyme and substrate/ATP. Kinase reactions are stopped by subsequent addition of IMAP-binding buffer. Assay attributes of the IMAP FP and TR-FRET methodologies are described. HTS assays developed using these procedures should result in Z-factors and low assay variability necessary for robust HTS assays. Providing that the required reagents and equipment are available, one scientist should be able to develop a 384-well, miniaturized HTS assay in approximately 6-8 weeks. Specific automated HTS assay conditions will determine the number of assay plates processed in a screening session, but two scientists should expect to process between 100 and 150 assay plates in one 8-h screening day.     

Evaluation of the InteraX system technology in a high-throughput screening environment

The authors have developed a cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS)-compatible assay to measure EGFR dimerization using the InteraX enzyme complementation technology of Applied Biosystems. The cells contain 2 chimeric proteins with complementing deletion mutants of the beta galactosidase enzyme, each fused to the extracellular and transmembrane part of EGFR. On binding of EGF, EGF receptor dimerizes and an active beta galactosidase is built. The authors used this homogeneous 384-well assay to screen about 20,000 diverse compounds. From 2 independent primary screen runs 239 hits were identified. For run 1, a mean S/B ratio of 4.26 and a mean Z' factor of 0.74 were obtained, for run 2 a mean S/B ratio of 3.88 and a mean Z' factor of 0.71 were obtained. After hit confirmation, repeated 4 times, 112 hits remained with a confirmation rate of 48.9%. Thirty of the 112 could be identified as cytotoxic. Fifty-one of the remaining 82 compounds could be shown to be inhibitors of the beta galactosidase enzyme itself. In summary, 31 compounds remained as potential EGFR dimerization or EGF stimulation inhibitors. The authors conclude that the InteraX system technology is HTS capable and can detect small molecule inhibitors capable of inhibiting protein-protein interactions.     

A simple, no-wash cell adhesion-based high-throughput assay for the discovery of small-molecule regulators of the integrin CD11b/CD18

The leukocyte-specific integrin CD11b/CD18 plays a key role in the biological function of these cells and represents a validated therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases. Currently, the low affinity interaction between CD11b/CD18 integrin and its respective ligand poses a challenge in the development of cell-based adhesion assays for the high-throughput screening (HTS) environment. Here the authors describe a simple cell-based adhesion assay that can be readily used for HTS for the discovery of functional regulators of CD11b/CD18. The assay consistently produces acceptable Z' values (> 0.5) for HTS. After testing the assay using 2 established blocking antibodies as reference biologicals, the authors performed a proof-of-concept primary screen using a library of 6612 compounds and identified both agonist and antagonist hits.     

Cell-Based Assays for High-Throughput Screening

Cell-based assays represent approximately half of all high-throughput screens currently performed. Here, we review in brief the history and status of high-throughput screening (HTS), and summarize some of the challenges and benefits associated with the use of cell-based assays in HTS. Approaches for successful experimental design and execution of cell-based screens are introduced, including strategies for assay development, implementation of primary and secondary screens, and target identification. In doing so, we hope to provide a comprehensive review of the cell-based HTS process and an introduction to the methodologies and techniques used.     

Comparison of 3 AT1 receptor binding assays: filtration assay, ScreenReady Target, and WGA Flashplate

In this article, the study of 3 different angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor binding assays in terms of reproducibility, robustness, and feasibility for high-throughput screening (HTS) is described. The following methods were used: a nonhomogeneous filtration assay in a 96-well format using CHO-AT(1) cell membranes and 2 homogeneous assays, which include the commercially available ScreenReady Target for the AT(1) receptor and the wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) Flashplate, which was coated "in-house" with the CHO-AT(1) cell membranes. Receptors were labeled with [(125)I]-Sar(1)-Ile(8)-angiotensin II, and radioligand binding was displaced using the antagonist losartan and the natural agonist angiotensin II. Reproducible K(d), B(max), and K(i) values and good total binding/nonspecific binding (TB/NSB) ratios were obtained with both the ScreenReady Targets and the filtration assay, whereas the WGA Flashplates showed unacceptably high nonspecific binding and high variation when applied as a homogeneous assay. However, when applied as a heterogeneous assay (i.e., when a wash step at the end of the assay is included), the results were significantly better. Interestingly, ligand affinities were consistently lower in Flashplate-based assays than in the filtration assay. This may be due to the immobilization of the receptors onto the solid surface of the plate, affecting their conformation. In terms of reproducibility, robustness, and feasibility for HTS, the authors conclude that the ScreenReady Target plates are most suitable for AT(1) receptor binding screening.     

Identification of potent Yes1 kinase inhibitors using a library screening approach

Yes1 kinase has been implicated as a potential therapeutic target in a number of cancers including melanomas, breast cancers, and rhabdomyosarcomas. Described here is the development of a robust and miniaturized biochemical assay for Yes1 kinase that was applied in a high throughput screen (HTS) of kinase-focused small molecule libraries. The HTS provided 144 (17% hit rate) small molecule compounds with IC₅₀ values in the sub-micromolar range. Three of the most potent Yes1 inhibitors were then examined in a cell-based assay for inhibition of cell survival in rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. Homology models of Yes1 were generated in active and inactive conformations, and docking of inhibitors supports binding to the active conformation (DFG-in) of Yes1. This is the first report of a large high throughput enzymatic activity screen for identification of Yes1 kinase inhibitors, thereby elucidating the polypharmacology of a variety of small molecules and clinical candidates.     

A homogeneous enzyme fragment complementation cyclic AMP screen for GPCR agonists

In the new high-throughput screening (HTS) campaign, receptor functional assays, 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), intracellular [Ca(2)+](i), phosphatidylinositol turnover, and reporter-based assays are being used as primary screens as they are now developed as homogeneous and automation-friendly assays. FlashPlate assay and scintillation proximity assay using radiolabeled cAMP have been used for measuring cAMP. A nonradioactive homogeneous HTS assay using HitHunter trade mark enzyme fragment complementation (EFC) technology was evaluated for measuring cAMP in adherent and suspension cells overexpressing a Galpha(s)-coupled receptor. In the EFC-cAMP assay, the beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) donor fragment-cAMP (ED-cAMP) conjugate complements with the beta-gal enzyme acceptor (EA) fragment to form an active beta-gal enzyme. Binding of ED-cAMP conjugate to the anti-cAMP antibody prevents its complementation with the EA fragment to form an active enzyme. Cyclic AMP in the samples compete with ED-cAMP to bind to the anti-cAMP antibody, thus increasing the free ED-cAMP that can complement with the EA fragment to form an active enzyme that is assayed with a luminescent substrate. Thus, this assay results in a positive signal unlike other technologies, wherein the signal is completed by cAMP in the sample. Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 binds to GLP-1 receptor (with a Kd of 0.2 nM) signals through Galpha(s) to activate adenylate cyclase, which results in an increase of intracellular cAMP (EC(50) of 0.3 nM). GLP-1 stimulation of cAMP levels measured by the EFC method was similar in both adherent and suspension cell formats (EC(50)~0.3 nM) at different cell numbers. The assay was further validated with forskolin, exendin, and several active GLP-1 peptide analogues. The stimulation of cAMP by GLP-1 and forskolin was effectively inhibited by the adenylate cyclase inhibitors MDL-12330A and SQ-22536, confirming that the increased cAMP is through the AC pathway. The assay tolerates dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) up to 10%, and tartrazine does not interfere with the assay with the adherent cells up to 1 mM and affects minimally up to 10 microM in suspension cells. The assay is very robust, with a Z' value of 0.7 to 0.8. The assay was validated with several plates of low molecular weight nonpeptide compounds and peptide agonists with different potencies. The suspension cell protocol is a robust homogeneous assay that involves fewer steps than the adherent cell protocol and is suitable for HTS. The cAMP assay using EFC technology is advantageous in that it has a greater dynamic range of detection; is nonradioactive, very sensitive, robust; has minimal interference from DMSO and colored compounds; and is amenable for automation. An added advantage of this assay is that the cAMP is measured as a positive signal, thereby reducing the incidence of false positives.     

Comparison of miniaturized time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer and enzyme-coupled luciferase high-throughput screening assays to discover inhibitors of Rho-kinase II (ROCK-II)

Kinases are important drug discovery targets for a wide variety of therapeutic indications; consequently, the measurement of kinase activity remains a common high-throughput screening (HTS) application. Recently, enzyme-coupled luciferase-kinase (LK) format assays have been introduced. This format measures luminescence resulting from metabolism of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via a luciferin/luciferase-coupled reaction. In the research presented here, 1536-well format time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) and LK assays were created to identify novel Rho-associated kinase II (ROCK-II) inhibitors. HTS campaigns for both assays were conducted in this miniaturized format. It was found that both assays were able to consistently reproduce the expected pharmacology of inhibitors known to be specific to ROCK-II (fasudil IC50: 283 +/- 27 nM and 336 +/- 54 nM for TR-FRET and LK assays, respectively; Y-27632 IC50: 133 +/- 7.8 nM and 150 +/- 22 nM for TR-FRET and LK assays, respectively). In addition, both assays proved robust for HTS efforts, demonstrating excellent plate Z' values during the HTS campaign (0.84 +/- 0.03; 0.72 +/- 0.05 for LK and TR-FRET campaigns, respectively). Both formats identified scaffolds of known and novel ROCK-II inhibitors with similar sensitivity. A comparison of the performance of these 2 assay formats in an HTS campaign was enabled by the existence of a subset of 25,000 compounds found in both our institutional and the Molecular Library Screening Center Network screening files. Analysis of the HTS campaign results based on this subset of common compounds showed that both formats had comparable total hit rates, hit distributions, amount of hit clusters, and format-specific artifact. It can be concluded that both assay formats are suitable for the discovery of ROCK-II inhibitors, and the choice of assay format depends on reagents and/or screening technology available.     

Fluorescence polarization assay for inhibitors of the kinase domain of receptor interacting protein 1

Necrotic cell death is prevalent in many different pathological disease states and in traumatic injury. Necroptosis is a form of necrosis that stems from specific signaling pathways, with the key regulator being receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1), a serine/threonine kinase. Specific inhibitors of RIP1, termed necrostatins, are potent inhibitors of necroptosis. Necrostatins are structurally distinct from one another yet still possess the ability to inhibit RIP1 kinase activity. To further understand the differences in the binding of the various necrostatins to RIP1 and to develop a robust high-throughput screening (HTS) assay, which can be used to identify new classes of RIP1 inhibitors, we synthesized fluorescein derivatives of Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) and Nec-3. These compounds were used to establish a fluorescence polarization (FP) assay to directly measure the binding of necrostatins to RIP1 kinase. The fluorescein-labeled compounds are well suited for HTS because the assays have a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) tolerance up to 5% and Z' scores of 0.62 (fluorescein-Nec-1) and 0.57 (fluorescein-Nec-3). In addition, results obtained from the FP assays and ligand docking studies provide insights into the putative binding sites of Nec-1, Nec-3, and Nec-4.