Improved methods for targeting epigenetic reader domains of acetylated and methylated lysine

Responsible for interpreting histone post-translational modifications, epigenetic reader proteins have emerged as novel therapeutic targets for a wide range of diseases. Chemical probes have been critical in enabling target validation studies and have led to translational advances in cancer and inflammation-related pathologies. Here, we present the most recently reported probes of reader proteins that recognize acylated and methylated lysine. We will discuss challenges associated with achieving potent antagonism of reader domains and review ongoing efforts to overcome these hurdles, focusing on targeting strategies including the use of peptidomimetic ligands, allosteric modulators, and protein degraders.     

BET proteins: Investigating BRDT as a potential target for male contraception

While many contraception options are available for women, birth control methods for men are limited to condoms and vasectomy. Past research into male contraceptives has focused on hormonal options but the associated side effects have thus far precluded this method from reaching the market. Non-hormonal male contraceptives and vas occlusion have also been explored, but to date no method has progressed past clinical testing. Recent interest in epigenetic research has unveiled a new potential non-hormonal male contraceptive target: the testis-specific bromodomain BRDT. Potent inhibitors for bromodomain-containing proteins are described in the literature, but a BRDT-specific compound has yet to be designed, prepared and tested. The high similarity between bromodomain proteins of the BET family makes development of selective and specific inhibitors both difficult and necessary. Selective inhibition of BRDT by a small molecule is an exciting new target in the search for a new non-hormonal male contraceptive.     

Discovery of novel [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline aminophenyl derivatives as BET inhibitors for cancer treatment

Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins, a class of epigenetic reader domains has emerged as a promising new target class for small molecule drug discovery for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. Starting from in silico screening campaign, herein we report the discovery of novel BET inhibitors based on [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline scaffold and their biological evaluation. The hit compound was optimized using the medicinal chemistry approach to the lead compound with excellent inhibitory activities against BRD4 in the binding assay. The substantial antiproliferative activities in human cancer cell lines, promising drug-like properties, and the selectivity for the BET family make the lead compound (13) as a novel BRD4 inhibitor motif for anti-cancer drug discovery.     

Bromodomains识别并结合配体的机理研究

关于酵母重组蛋白内的Bromodomain识别乙酰化赖氨酸的研究近年来受到广泛的关注,但是其识别配体并与之相紧密结合的机理有待进一步的研究。本文采用2015年开发的结合位点拓扑学方法(FCTM)和分子动力学模拟的方式对Bromodomains识别并结合配体的机理进行了充分研究,其中分子动力学模拟时间达24 ns。通过FCTM方法发现结合位点的几何结构具有高度的凹性,且其alphaspace达到了131。分子动力学模拟的结果显示:在模拟的过程中结合位点表面的脯氨酸(Pro66)始终对配体保持着强的分子间相互作用,同时pocket内的水分子分布对配体的氢键网络也一直存在影响。以上结果表明Bromodomains识别并结合配体有两个重要因素:蛋白结构域自身的几何结构和配体受到来自于结合位点表面的氨基酸分子相互作用和pocket内水分子的氢键网络作用。     

Straightforward hit identification approach in fragment-based discovery of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitors

A combination approach of a fragment screening and “SAR by catalog” was used for the discovery of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitors. Initial screening of 3695-fragment library against bromodomain 1 of BRD4 using thermal shift assay (TSA), followed by initial hit validation, resulted in 73 fragment hits, which were used to construct a follow-up library selected from available screening collection. Additionally, analogs of inactive fragments, as well as a set of randomly selected compounds were also prepared (3?×?3200 compounds in total). Screening of the resulting sets using TSA, followed by re-testing at several concentrations, counter-screen, and TR-FRET assay resulted in 18 confirmed hits. Compounds derived from the initial fragment set showed better hit rate as compared to the other two sets. Finally, building dose-response curves revealed three compounds with IC₅₀?=?1.9–7.4?μM. For these compounds, binding sites and conformations in the BRD4 (4UYD) have been determined by docking.     

Discovery and characterization of cyclic peptides selective for the C-terminal bromodomains of BET family proteins

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