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Tamas Geczy,
Megan L Peach,
Saïd El Kazzouli,
Dina M Sigano, Ji-Hye Kang,
Christopher J Valle,
Julia Selezneva,
Wonhee Woo,
Noemi Kedei,
Nancy E Lewin,
Susan H Garfield,
Langston Lim,
Poonam Mannan,
Victor E Marquez,
Peter M Blumberg
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ABSTRACT: C1 domains, the recognition motif of the second messenger diacylglycerol and of the phorbol esters, are classified as typical (ligand-responsive) or atypical (not ligand-responsive). The C1 domain of Vav1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, plays a critical role in regulation of Vav activity through stabilization of the Dbl homology domain, which is responsible for exchange activity of Vav. Although the C1 domain of Vav1 is classified as atypical, it retains a binding pocket geometry homologous to that of the typical C1 domains of PKCs. This study clarifies the basis for its failure to bind ligands. Substituting Vav1-specific residues into the C1b domain of PKCδ, we identified five crucial residues (Glu(9), Glu(10), Thr(11), Thr(24), and Tyr(26)) along the rim of the binding cleft that weaken binding potency in a cumulative fashion. Reciprocally, replacing these incompatible residues in the Vav1 C1 domain with the corresponding residues from PKCδ C1b (δC1b) conferred high potency for phorbol ester binding. Computer modeling predicts that these unique residues in Vav1 increase the hydrophilicity of the rim of the binding pocket, impairing membrane association and thereby preventing formation of the ternary C1-ligand-membrane binding complex. The initial design of diacylglycerol-lactones to exploit these Vav1 unique residues showed enhanced selectivity for C1 domains incorporating these residues, suggesting a strategy for the development of ligands targeting Vav1.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 02/2012; 287(16):13137-58. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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Ji-Hye Kang,
Yerim Kim,
Shin-Hye Won,
Song-Kyu Park,
Chang Woo Lee,
Hwan-Mook Kim,
Nancy E Lewin,
Nicholas A Perry,
Larry V Pearce,
Daniel J Lundberg,
Robert J Surawski,
Peter M Blumberg,
Jeewoo Lee
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ABSTRACT: A series of DAG-lactones with polar 3-alkylidene substituents have been investigated as PKC-alpha ligands and antitumor agents. Extensive analysis of structure-activity relationships for the 3-alkylidene chain revealed that polar groups such as ether, hydroxyl, aldehyde, ester, acyloxy, and amido were tolerated with similar binding affinities and reduced lipophilicities compared to the corresponding unsubstituted alkylidene chain. Among the derivatives, compounds 5, 6 and 8 with an ether type of side chain showed high binding affinities in range of K(i)= 3-5 nM and excellent antitumor profiles, particularly against the colo205 colon cancer and the K562 leukemia cell lines.
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters 02/2010; 20(3):1008-12. · 2.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We previously demonstrated that treatment of human androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and CWR22-Rv1 with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a known protein kinase C (PKC) activator, decreases ATM protein levels, thus de-repressing the enzyme ceramide synthase (CS) and promoting apoptosis as well as radio-sensitizing these cells.(1) Here we show that PKCalpha mediates the TPA effect on ATM expression, since ATM suppression and apoptosis induced by either TPA or diacylglycerol-lactone (DAG-lactone), both inducing PKCalpha activation,(2) are abrogated in LNCaP cells following transfection of a kinase-dead PKCalpha mutant (KD-PKCalpha). Similarly, KD-PKCalpha blocks the apoptotic response elicited by combination of TPA and radiation, whereas expression of constitutively active PKCalpha is sufficient to sensitize cells to radiation alone, without a need to pre-treat the cells with TPA. These findings identify CS activation as a downstream event of PKCalpha activity in LNCaP cells. Similar results were obtained in CWR22-Rv1 cells with DAG-lactone treatment. Using the LNCaP orthotopic prostate model it is shown that treatment with TPA or DAG-lactone induces significant reduction in tumor ATM levels coupled with tumor growth delay. Furthermore, while fractionated radiation alone produces significant tumor growth delay, pretreatment with TPA or DAG-lactone significantly potentiates tumor cure. These findings support a model in which activation of PKCalpha downregulates ATM, thus relieving CS repression by ATM and enhancing apoptosis via ceramide generation. This model may provide a basis for the design of new therapies in prostate cancer.
Cancer biology & therapy 02/2009; 8(1):54-63. · 2.64 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The synthesis of a small number of ceramide analogues containing a combination of linear and highly branched alkyl chains on either the d-sphingosine or the N-acyl core of the molecule is reported. Regardless of location, the presence of the branched chain improves potency relative to the positive control, C2 ceramide; however, the most potent compound (4) has the branched side chain as part of the d-sphingosine core. The induction of apoptosis by 4 in terms of Annexin V binding and DiOC(6) labeling was superior to that achieved with C2 ceramide.
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 02/2009; 17(4):1498-505. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Diacylglycerol (DAG) lactones have provided a powerful platform for structural exploration of the interactions between ligands and the C1 domains of protein kinase C (PKC). In this study, we report that DAG-dioxolanones, novel derivatives of DAG-lactones, exploit an additional point of contact (glutamine 27) in their binding with the C1b domain of PKC delta. Mutation of this point of contact to glutamate selectively impairs binding of the DAG-dioxolanones compared to that of the corresponding DAG-lactones (1200- to 3000-fold versus 35- to 55-fold, respectively). The differential response of this mutated C1b domain to the DAG-dioxolanones relative to the DAG-lactones provides a unique tool to probe the role of the C1b domain in PKC delta function, where the response to the DAG-lactones affords a positive control for retained function. Using this approach, we show that the C1b domain of PKC delta plays the predominant role in the translocation of PKC delta to the membrane in the presence of DAG.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 08/2007; 50(15):3465-81. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Diacylglycerol lactones (DAG-lactones) are known to operate as effective agonists of protein kinase C (PKC), surpassing in potency the activity of natural diacylglycerol (DAG). Localization of activated PKC isozymes in the cell is determined in part by the different cellular scaffolds, the lipid composition of the specific membranes, and the targeting information intrinsic to the individual isoforms bound to DAG. This multifaceted control of diversity suggests that, to develop effective DAG-lactones capable of honing in on a specific cellular target, we need to gain a better understanding of the chemical space surrounding its binding site. Seeking to augment the chemical repertoire of DAG-lactone side chains that could steer the translocation of PKC to specific cellular domains, we report herein the effects of incorporating simple or substituted phenyl residues. A combined series of n-alkyl and phenyl substitutions were used to explore the optimal location of the phenyl group on the side chains. The substantial differences in binding affinity between DAG-lactones with identical functionalized phenyl groups at either the sn-1 or sn-2 position are consistent with the proposed binding model in which the DAG-lactone binds to the C1 domain of PKC with the acyl chain oriented toward the interior of the membrane and the alpha-alkylidene or alpha-arylalkylidene chains directed to the surface of the C1 domain adjacent to the lipid interface. We conclude that DAG-lactones containing alpha-phenylalkylidene side chains at the sn-2 position represent excellent scaffolds upon which to explore further chemical diversity.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 07/2006; 49(11):3185-203. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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Jeewoo Lee, Ji-Hye Kang,
Kee-Chung Han,
Yerim Kim,
Su Yeon Kim,
Hae-Suk Youn,
Inhee Mook-Jung,
Hee Kim,
Jee Hye Lo Han,
Hee Jin Ha,
Young Ho Kim,
Victor E Marquez,
Nancy E Lewin,
Larry V Pearce,
Daniel J Lundberg,
Peter M Blumberg
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ABSTRACT: Using as our lead structure a potent PKC ligand (1) that we had previously described, we investigated a series of branched DAG-lactones to optimize the scaffold for PKC binding affinity and reduced lipophilicity, and we examined the potential utility of select compounds as alpha-secretase activators. Activation of alpha-secretase upon PKC stimulation by ligands causes increased degradation of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), resulting in enhanced secretion of sAPPalpha and reduced deposition of beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta), which is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We modified in a systematic manner the C5-acyl group, the 3-alkylidene, and the lactone ring in 1 and established structure-activity relationships for this series of potent PKC ligands. Select DAG-lactones with high binding affinities for PKC were evaluated for their abilities to lead to increased sAPPalpha secretion as a result of alpha-secretase activation. The DAG-lactones potently induced alpha-secretase activation, and their potencies correlated with the corresponding PKC binding affinities and lipophilicities. Further investigation indicated that 2 exhibited a modestly higher level of sAPPalpha secretion than did phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu).
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 04/2006; 49(6):2028-36. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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Jeewoo Lee, Ji-Hye Kang,
Kee-Chung Han,
Yerim Kim,
Su Yeon Kim,
Hae-Suk Youn,
Inhee Mook-Jung,
Hee Kim,
Jee Hye Lo Han,
Hee Jin Ha,
Young Ho Kim,
Victor E. Marquez,
Nancy E. Lewin,
Larry V. Pearce,
Daniel J. Lundberg,
Peter M. Blumberg
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ABSTRACT: Using as our lead structure a potent PKC ligand (1) that we had previously described, we investigated a series of branched DAG-lactones to optimize the scaffold for PKC binding affinity and reduced lipophilicity, and we examined the potential utility of select compounds as α-secretase activators. Activation of α-secretase upon PKC stimulation by ligands causes increased degradation of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), resulting in enhanced secretion of sAPPα and reduced deposition of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ), which is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We modified in a systematic manner the C5-acyl group, the 3-alkylidene, and the lactone ring in 1 and established structure−activity relationships for this series of potent PKC ligands. Select DAG-lactones with high binding affinities for PKC were evaluated for their abilities to lead to increased sAPPα secretion as a result of α-secretase activation. The DAG-lactones potently induced α-secretase activation, and their potencies correlated with the corresponding PKC binding affinities and lipophilicities. Further investigation indicated that 2 exhibited a modestly higher level of sAPPα secretion than did phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu).
02/2006;
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ABSTRACT: Diacylglycerol (DAG) lactones with altered functionality (C=O --> CH(2) or C=O --> C=S) at the sn-1 and sn-2 carbonyl pharmacophores were synthesized and used as probes to dissect the individual role of each carbonyl in the binding to protein kinase C (PKC). The results suggest that the hydrated sn-1 carbonyl is engaged in very strong hydrogen-bonding interactions with the charged lipid headgroups and organized water molecules at the lipid interface. Conversely, the sn-2 carbonyl has a more modest contribution to the binding process as a result of its involvement with the receptor (C1 domain) via conventional hydrogen bonding to the protein. The parent DAG-lactones, E-6 and Z-7, were designed to bind exclusively in the sn-2 binding mode to ensure the correct orientation and disposition of pharmacophores at the binding site.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 09/2005; 48(18):5738-48. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A series of macrocyclic diacylglycerol (DAG)-bis-lactones were investigated as extreme conformationally constrained analogues of DAG-lactones in order to seek more potent protein kinase C (PKC) ligands with higher binding affinities and less lipophilicity than previous compounds. The additional constraint achieved the desired objective as exemplified by the macrocyclic DAG-bis-lactone 57, which exhibited a 6-fold higher binding affinity for PKCalpha (K(i) = 6.07 nM) than the corresponding nonmacrocyclic 3-alkylidene DAG-lactone 6. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of the macrocyclic DAG-bis-lactones demonstrated a parabolic relationship between activity and lipophilicity, as well as a predilection for the Z-alkylidene isomers as the preferred ligands. Molecular docking studies revealed that macrocyclic DAG-bis-lactone 57 bound to the C1b domain of PKCalpha exclusively in the sn-1 binding mode in contrast to DAG-lactone 6, which showed both sn-1 and sn-2 binding modes. It is proposed that the high potency displayed by these macrocyclic DAG-bis-lactones results from a set of more favorable hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with PKCalpha as well as from a reduced entropy penalty due to conformational restriction.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 08/2004; 47(16):4000-7. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: [structure: see text] Commercially available 2-methylenepropane-1,3-diol was converted to chiral epoxide (R)-2 via Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation in >96% ee. Regiospecific epoxide ring opening and reduction of the intermediate alkyne set the stage for a one-pot lactonization to give (R)-6, a convenient precursor for all functionalized chiral DAG-lactones used as potent PK-C ligands. The synthesis of the most potent DAG-lactones known to date, (Z)-10 and (E)-10, served to confirm PK-C's exclusive preference for the (R)-stereochemistry in this class of compounds.
Organic Letters 07/2004; 6(14):2413-6. · 5.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The (R)-DAG-lactones (5 and 7E/Z) are conformationally constrained diacylglycerol (DAG) analogs with high potency as protein kinase C (PKC) ligands. Here, we have prepared and characterized their one-carbon lengthened analogs (6 and 8E/Z). The target compounds were synthesized from 1,2-O-isopropylidene D-xylose through a key intermediate, 4-C-hydroxyethyl-2,3-dideoxy-D-glyceropentono-1,4-lactone (13); they were evaluated as competitive ligands to displace bound [(3)H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBU) from a recombinant single isozyme (PKC-alpha). The binding affinities of the synthesized compounds were K(i) = 2.623 microM for 6, K(i) = 1.080 microM for 8Z and K(i) = 0.92 microM for 8E, which were ca. 27, 90, and 70 times less potent than the corresponding parent compounds (5, 7Z and 7E). Molecular modeling indicated that the reduced binding affinity of the representative 3-alkylidene lactone 8Z, as compared to 7Z, may be explained by its poor fit in the sn-1 binding mode as well as by its entropic loss due to the relatively flexible hydroxyethyl group.
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 02/2004; 39(1):69-77. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The structures of N-hydroxylamides 1a and 1b, previously reported by Lee et al. in J. Med. Chem. 2001, 44, 4309-4312 as strong protein kinase C (PK-C) ligands, were incorrect and correspond instead to esters 2a and 2b, respectively. Here, we report the synthesis and complete characterization of 1a and 1b together with the associated biological activity in terms of PK-C binding affinity.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 07/2003; 46(13):2790-3. · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In order to determine the importance of the two ester pharmacophores in high affinity, conformationally constrained DAG-lactones (Lac-1-5) as PK-C ligands, we have independently replaced the sn-1 and sn-2 carbonyl esters in these compounds by ketone (2, 10, 11), amide (3, 25-28), and hydroxyl (12, 13) isosteres. Although the ketone analogue of the sn-1 ester (2) exhibited comparable activity to the parent Lac-1 when taking into account the difference in lipophilicities, the other isosteres were significantly poorer PK-C alpha ligands compared to the parent DAG-lactones. This study demonstrates that the ester functionality in DAG-lactone plays an important role in the ligand's capacity to form a strong hydrogen bond with Gly253 at the active site. The discrete K(i) analysis from the sn-1 and sn-2 isosteres further confirms that the DAG-lactones bind preferentially to the C1-domain in the sn-2 binding mode, as previously suggested.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 07/2003; 11(12):2529-39. · 2.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A series of alkyl tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylates (1–4) bearing a new set of three pharmacophoric groups were tested as protein kinase C (PKC) ligands. The compounds were synthesized from commercially available glycidyl 4-methoxyphenyl ether. The correlation between their binding affinities for PKC-α and a conformational fit to phorbol ester indicates they mimic a pharmacophore model comprising the C20–OH, C3–CO and C9–OH rather than that including the C13–CO moiety.
Il Farmaco 04/2001;
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ABSTRACT: The design of potent protein kinase C (PK-C) ligands with low nanomolar binding affinities was accomplished by the combined use of pharmacophore- and receptor-guided approaches based on the structure of the physiological enzyme activator, diacylglycerol (DAG). Earlier use of the former approach, which was based on the structural equivalence of DAG and phorbol ester pharmacophores, identified a fixed template for the construction of a semirigid “recognition domain” that contained the three principal pharmacophores of DAG constrained into a lactone ring (DAG-lactones). In the present work, the pharmacophore-guided approach was refined to a higher level based on the X-ray structure of the C1b domain of PK-Cδ complexed with phorbol-13-O-acetate. A systematic search that involved modifying the DAG-lactone template with a combination of linear or branched acyl and α-alkylidene chains, which functioned as variable hydrophobic “affinity domains”, helped identify compounds that optimized hydrophobic contacts with a group of conserved hydrophobic amino acids located on the top half of the C1 domain where the phorbol binds. The hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the molecules was estimated by the octanol/water partition coefficients (log P) calculated according to a fragment-based approach. The presence of branched α-alkylidene or acyl chains was of critical importance to reach low nanomolar binding affinities for PK-C. These branched chains appear to facilitate important van der Waals contacts with hydrophobic segments of the protein and help promote the activation of PK-C through critical membrane interactions. Molecular modeling of these DAG-lactones into an empty C1b domain using the program AutoDock 2.4 suggests the existence of competing binding modes (sn-1 and sn-2) depending on which carbonyl is directly involved in binding to the protein. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding, an indirect PK-C mediated response, was realized with some DAG-lactones at a dose 10-fold higher than with the standard phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBU). Through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) 60-cell line in vitro screen, DAG-lactone 31 was identified as a very selective and potent antitumor agent. The NCI's computerized, pattern-recognition program COMPARE, which analyzes the degree of similarity of mean-graph profiles produced by the screen, corroborated our principles of drug design by matching the profile of compound 31 with that of the non-tumor-promoting antitumor phorbol ester, prostratin. The structural simplicity and the degree of potency achieved with some of the DAG-lactones described here should dispel the myth that chemical complexity and pharmacological activity go hand in hand. Even as a racemate, DAG-lactone 31 showed low namomolar binding affinity for PK-C and displayed selective antitumor activity at equivalent nanomolar levels. Our present approach should facilitate the generation of multiple libraries of structurally similar DAG-lactones to help exploit molecular diversity for PK-C and other high-affinity receptors for DAG and the phorbol esters. The success of this work suggests that substantially simpler, high-affinity structures could be identified to function as surrogates of other complex natural products.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 02/2000; 43(5). · 5.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A series of substituted tetrahydrofurans with an embedded glycerol backbone carrying additional tetrahydrofuranylideneacetate or tetrahydrofuranylacetate motifs were grouped into four distinct templates (I−IV) according to stereochemistry. The compounds were designed to mimic three essential pharmacophores (C3−CO, C20−OH and C13−CO) of the phorbol esters according to a new, revised model. The tetrahydrofuran ring was constructed from glycidyl 4-methoxyphenyl ether, and the structures of the isomeric templates were assigned by NMR spectroscopy, including NOE. The binding affinity for protein kinase C (PKC) was assessed in terms of the ability of the ligands to displace bound [3H-20]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBU) from a recombinant α isozyme of PKC. Geometric Z- and E-isomers (1 and 3, respectively) containing a tetrahydrofuranylideneacetate motif were the most potent ligands with identical Ki values of 0.35 μM. Molecular modeling studies of the four templates showed that the rms values when fitted to a prototypical phorbol 12,13-diacetate ester correlated inversely with affinities in the following order: I ≈ II > III > IV. These compounds represent the first generation of rigid glycerol templates seeking to mimic the binding of the C13−CO of the phorbol esters. The binding affinities of the most potent compounds are in the same range of the diacylglycerols (DAGs) despite the lack of a phorbol ester C9−OH pharmacophore surrogate. This finding confirms that mimicking the binding of the C13−CO pharmacophore of phorbol is a useful strategy. However, since the C9−OH and C13−CO in the phorbol esters appear to form an intramolecular hydrogen bond that functions as a combined pharmacophore, it is possible the lack of this combined motif in the target templates restricts the compounds from reaching higher binding affinities.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 09/1999; 42(20). · 5.25 Impact Factor
