Hachemi Kadri’s research while affiliated with Durham University and other places

Vγ9/Vδ2 T-cells are activated by pyrophosphate-containing small molecules known as phosphoantigens (PAgs). The pres-ence of the pyrophosphate group in these PAgs has limited their drug-like properties due to its instability and polar nature. In this work, we report a novel and short Olefin Grubbs metathesis-mediated synthesis of methylene and difluoromethylene monophosphonate derivatives of the PAg (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBP) as well as their aryloxy diester phosphonamidate prodrugs, termed ProPAgens. These prodrugs showed excellent stability in human serum (t1/2 > 12 h) and potent activation of Vγ9/Vδ2 T-cells (EC50 ranging from 5 fM to 73 nM), which translated into sub-nanomolar γδ T-cell-mediated eradication of bladder cancer cells in vitro. Additionally, a combination of in silico and in vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated the metabolism of these phosphonamidates to release the unmasked the PAg monophosphonate species. Collectively, this work establishes HMBP monophosphonate ProPAgens as ideal candidates for further investigation as nov-el cancer immunotherapeutic agents.

The specific targeting of protein‐protein interactions by phosphoserine‐containing small molecules has been scarce due to the dephosphorylation of phosphoserine and its charged nature at physiological pH, which hinder its uptake into cells. To address these issues, we herein report the synthesis of phosphoserine aryloxy triester phosphoramidates as phosphoserine prodrugs that are enzymatically metabolized to release phosphoserine. This phosphoserine‐masking approach was applied to a phosphoserine‐containing inhibitor of 14‐3‐3 dimerization, and the generated prodrugs exhibited improved pharmacological activity. Collectively, this provided a proof of concept that the masking of phosphoserine with biocleavable aryloxy triester phosphoramidate masking groups is a viable intracellular delivery system for phosphoserine‐containing molecules. Ultimately, this will facilitate the discovery of phosphoserine‐containing small‐molecule therapeutics.

Many cellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are mediated by phosphoserine. The specific targeting of these PPIs by phosphoserine-containing small molecules has been scarce due to the dephosphorylation of phosphoserine and its charged nature at physiological pH, which hinders its uptake into cells. To address these issues, we herein report the masking of the phosphate group of phosphoserine with biocleavable aryloxy triester phosphoramidate groups. A combination of in vitro enzymatic assays and in silico studies, using carboxypeptidase Y and Hint-1 respectively, showed that the phosphate masking groups are metabolized to release phosphoserine. To probe the applicability of this phosphoserine masking approach, it was applied to a phosphoserine-containing inhibitor of 14-3-3 dimerization, and this generated molecules with improved pharmacological activity in cells compared to their unmasked phosphoserine-containing parent compound. Collectively, the data showcases the masking of phosphoserine with biocleavable aryloxy triester phosphoramidate masking groups as an efficient intracellular delivery system for phosphoserine-containing molecules.

SPAK and OSR1 are two serine/threonine protein kinases that play important key roles in regulating ion homeostasis. Various SPAK and OSR1 mouse models exhibited reduced blood pressure. Herein, we report the discovery of Verteporfin, a photosensitizing agent used in photodynamic therapy, as a potent inhibitor of SPAK and OSR1 kinases. We show that Verteporfin binds the kinase domains of SPAK and OSR1 and inhibit their catalytic activity in an ATP‐independent manner. In cells, Verteporfin was able to suppress the phosphorylation of the ion co‐transporter NKCC1, a downstream physiological substrate of SPAK and OSR1 kinases. Kinase panel screening indicated that Verteporfin inhibited a further eight protein kinases more potently than SPAK and OSR1. Although Verteporfin has largely been studied as a modifier of the Hippo signaling pathway, this work indicates that the WNK‐SPAK/OSR1 signaling cascade is also a target of this clinical agent. This finding could explain the fluctuation in blood pressure noted in patients and animals treated with this drug.

SPAK and OSR1 are two protein kinases that play important roles in regulating the function of numerous ion co-transporters. They are activated by two distinct mechanisms that involve initial phosphorylation at their T-loops by WNK kinases and subsequent binding to a scaffolding protein termed MO25. To understand this latter SPAK and OSR1 regulation mechanism, we herein show that MO25 binding to these two kinases is enhanced by serine phosphorylation in their highly conserved WEWS motif, which is located in their C-terminal domains. Furthermore, we show that this C-terminal phosphorylation is carried out by WNK kinases in vitro and involves WNK kinases in cells. Mutagenesis studies revealed key MO25 residues that are important for MO25 binding and activation of SPAK and OSR1 kinases. Collectively, this study provides new insights into the MO25-mediated activation of SPAK and OSR1 kinases, which are emerging as important players in regulating ion homeostasis.

Niclosamide is an anthelmintic drug that has mainly been used for over 50 years to treat tapeworm infections. However, with the increase in drug repurposing initiatives, niclosamide has emerged as a true hit in many screens against various diseases. Indeed, from being an anthelmintic drug, it has now shown potential in treating Parkinson's disease, diabetes, viral and microbial infections as well as various cancers. Such diverse pharmacological activities are a result of niclosamide's ability to uncouple mitochondrial phosphorylation and modulate a selection of signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β‐catenin, mTOR and JAK/STAT3, which are implicated many diseases. In this highlight, we will discuss the plethora of diseases that niclosamide has shown promise in treating.

We previously reported the application of the aryloxy triester phosphoramidate prodrug technology to the phosphoantigen (E)-4-hydroxybut-2-enyl phosphate (HMBP). Although these prodrugs exhibited potent activation of Vγ9/Vδ2 T‐cell immune responses, their stability was low due to the rapid cleavage of the -O-P- bond. To address this, we herein report the application of the same prodrug strategy to two HMBP phosphonates, which have stable -CH2-P- or -CF2-P- bonds. These HMBP phosphonate prodrugs, phosphonamidates, exhibited excellent serum stability and potent activation of Vgama9/Vdelta2 T‐cells making them attractive compounds for further development as potential immunotherapeutics.

Mutations in PINK1, which impair its catalytic kinase activity, are causal for autosomal recessive early onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Various studies have indicated that the activation of PINK1 could be a useful strategy in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as PD. Herein, we show that the anthelmintic drug niclosamide and its analogues are capable of activating PINK1 in cells via reversible impairment of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Using these compounds, we demonstrate for the first time that the PINK1 pathway is active and detectable in primary neurons. Our findings suggest that niclosamide and its analogues are robust compounds to study the PINK1 pathway and may hold promise as a therapeutic strategy in Parkinson's and related disorders.