Biomedical subjects

Daniel T Gewirth

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel T Gewirth.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Structural and quantum chemical studies of 8-aryl-sulfanyl adenine class Hsp90 inhibitors.

Hsp90 chaperones play a critical role in modulating the activity of many cell signaling proteins and are an attractive target for anti-cancer therapeutics. We report here the structures of the water soluble 8-aryl-sulfanyl adenine class Hsp90 inhibitors, 1 (PU-H71) and 2 (PU-H64), in complex with the N-terminal domain of human Hsp90alpha. The conformation of 1 when bound to Hsp90 differs from previously reported 8-aryl adenine Hsp90 inhibitors including 3 (PU24FCl). While the binding mode for 3 places the 2'-halide of the 8-aryl group on top of the adenine ring, for 1 and 2, we show that the 2'-halide is rotated approximately 180 degrees away. This difference explains the opposing trends in Hsp90 inhibitory activity for the 2'-halo derivatives of the 3',4',5'-trimethoxy series where Cl > Br > I compared to the 4',5'-methylenedioxy series where I > Br > Cl. We also present quantum chemical calculations of 2 and its analogues that illuminate their basis for Hsp90 inhibition. The calculated conformation of 2 agreed well with the crystallographically observed conformations of 1 and 2. The predictive nature of the calculations has allowed the exploration of additional derivatives based on the 8-aryl adenine scaffold.

Adenine↗

PubMed2006

Structure of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine acyltransferase with a bound antibacterial pentadecapeptide.

UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase (LpxA) catalyzes the first step of lipid A biosynthesis, the transfer of the R-3-hydroxyacyl chain from R-3-hydroxyacyl acyl carrier protein (ACP) to the glucosamine 3-OH group of UDP-GlcNAc. LpxA is essential for the growth of Escherichia coli and related Gram-negative bacteria. The crystal structure of the E. coli LpxA homotrimer, determined previously at 2.6 A in the absence of substrates or inhibitors, revealed that LpxA contains an unusual, left-handed parallel beta-helix fold. We now present the crystal structure at 1.8 A resolution of E. coli LpxA in a complex with a pentadecapeptide, peptide 920. Three peptides, each of which adopts a beta-hairpin conformation, are bound per LpxA trimer. The peptides are located at the interfaces of adjacent subunits in the vicinity of the three active sites. Each peptide interacts with residues from both adjacent subunits. Peptide 920 is a potent inhibitor of E. coli LpxA (Ki = 50 nM). It is competitive with respect to acyl-ACP but not UDP-GlcNAc. The compact beta-turn structure of peptide 920 bound to LpxA may open previously uncharacterized approaches to the rational design of LpxA inhibitors with antibiotic activity.

Acyltransferases↗

PubMed2006

Identification of potent water soluble purine-scaffold inhibitors of the heat shock protein 90.

Hsp90 is a chaperone protein that allows cancer cells to tolerate the many components of dysregulated pathways. Its inactivation may result in targeting multiple molecular alterations and, thus, in reverting the transformed phenotype. The PU-class, a purine-scaffold Hsp90 inhibitor series, has been reported to be potent and selective against Hsp90 both in vitro and in vivo models of cancer. Here, a series of this class was synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the chaperone. The structure-activity relationship and selectivity for tumor Hsp90 of compounds within the series is presented. The study identifies water soluble derivatives (>5 mM in PBS pH 7.4) of nanomolar potency (IC(50) approximately 50 nM) in cellular and animal models of cancer. Binding affinities of these compounds for Hsp90 correlate well with their biological activities. When administered in vivo to mice bearing MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer xenografted tumors, these agents result in pharmacologically relevant concentrations and, accordingly, in modulation of Hsp90-client proteins in tumors.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

PubMed2005

Structure of unliganded GRP94, the endoplasmic reticulum Hsp90. Basis for nucleotide-induced conformational change.

GRP94, the endoplasmic reticulum paralog of Hsp90, is regulated by adenosine nucleotides that bind to its N-terminal regulatory domain. Because of its weak affinity for nucleotides, the functionally relevant transition in GRP94 is likely to be between the unliganded and nucleotide-bound states. We have determined the structure of the unliganded GRP94 N-domain. The helix 1-4-5 subdomain of the unliganded protein adopts the closed conformation seen in the structure of the protein in complex with inhibitors. This conformation is distinct from the open conformation of the subdomain seen when the protein is bound to ATP or ADP. ADP soaked into crystals of the unliganded protein reveals an intermediate conformation midway between the open and closed states and demonstrates that in GRP94 the conversion between the open and closed states is driven by ligand binding. The direction of the observed movement in GRP94 shows that nucleotides act to open the subdomain elements rather than close them, which is contrary to the motion proposed for Hsp90. These observations support a model where ATP binding dictates the conformation of the N-domain and regulates its ability to form quaternary structural interactions.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed2005

Characterization of transcriptional activation and DNA-binding functions in the hinge region of the vitamin D receptor.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a ligand-responsive transcription factor that forms active, heterodimeric complexes with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) on vitamin D response elements (VDREs). Both proteins consist of an N-terminal DNA-binding domain, a C-terminal ligand-binding domain, and an intervening hinge region. The length requirements of the hinge for both transcriptional regulation and DNA binding have not been studied to date for any member of the steroid hormone superfamily. We have generated a series of internal deletion mutants of the VDR hinge and found that deletion of as few as five amino acids from the C-terminus of the hinge significantly reduces transcriptional activation in vivo. Replacing deleted residues in the C-terminus of the hinge with alanines restored activity, indicating that this section of the hinge acts as a sequence-independent spacer. The hinge region of VDR forms a long helix, and the geometric consequences of this structure may explain the requirement of the hinge region for transcriptional activity. Interestingly, all of the deletion mutants, even those that do not activate transcription, bind VDREs with equal and high affinity, indicating that the defect in these mutants is not their ability to bind VDREs. In contrast to VDR, constructs of RXR containing deletions of up to 14 amino acids in the hinge region exhibit near wild-type transcriptional activity. The ability to delete more of the RXR hinge may be related to the additional plasticity required by its role as the common heterodimer partner for nuclear receptors on differing DNA elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Ligand-induced conformational shift in the N-terminal domain of GRP94, an Hsp90 chaperone.

GRP94 is the endoplasmic reticulum paralog of cytoplasmic Hsp90. Models of Hsp90 action posit an ATP-dependent conformational switch in the N-terminal ligand regulatory domain of the chaperone. However, crystal structures of the isolated N-domain of Hsp90 in complex with a variety of ligands have yet to demonstrate such a conformational change. We have determined the structure of the N-domain of GRP94 in complex with ATP, ADP, and AMP. Compared with the N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine and radicicol-bound forms, these structures reveal a large conformational rearrangement in the protein. The nucleotide-bound form exposes new surfaces that interact to form a biochemically plausible dimer that is reminiscent of those seen in structures of MutL and DNA gyrase. Weak ATP binding and a conformational change in response to ligand identity are distinctive mechanistic features of GRP94 and suggest a model for how GRP94 functions in the absence of co-chaperones and ATP hydrolysis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2004

Structural basis of androgen receptor binding to selective androgen response elements.

Steroid receptors bind as dimers to a degenerate set of response elements containing inverted repeats of a hexameric half-site separated by 3 bp of spacer (IR3). Naturally occurring selective androgen response elements have recently been identified that resemble direct repeats of the hexameric half-site (ADR3). The 3D crystal structure of the androgen receptor (AR) DNA-binding domain bound to a selective ADR3 reveals an unexpected head-to-head arrangement of the two protomers rather than the expected head-to-tail arrangement seen in nuclear receptors bound to response elements of similar geometry. Compared with the glucocorticoid receptor, the DNA-binding domain dimer interface of the AR has additional interactions that stabilize the AR dimer and increase the affinity for nonconsensus response elements. This increased interfacial stability compared with the other steroid receptors may account for the selective binding of AR to ADR3 response elements.

Androgens↗

PubMed2004

Structural analysis of RXR-VDR interactions on DR3 DNA.

The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a ligand-responsive transcription factor that forms homo- or heterodimers on response elements composed of two hexameric half-sites separated by three base pairs of spacer DNA. Binding of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) to the full-length VDR causes destabilization of the VDR homodimer and formation of a heterodimeric complex with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR). VDR and RXR DNA-binding domains (DBDs) do not mimic this behavior, however: VDR DBD homodimers are formed exclusively, even in the presence of excess RXR DBD. Exploiting the asymmetry of the heterodimer and our knowledge of the homodimeric DBD interface, we have engineered VDR mutants that disfavor the homodimeric complex and allow for the formation of heterodimeric DBD complexes with RXR on DR3 elements. One of these complexes has been crystallized and its structure determined. However, the polarity of the proteins relative to the DNA is non-physiological due to crystal packing between symmetry-related VDR DBD protomers. This reveals a flattened energy landscape that appears to rely on elements outside of the core DBD for response element discrimination in the heterodimer.

Chromatography, Gel↗

PubMed2004

Vitamin D receptor-DNA interactions.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of the steroid and nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of eukaryotic transcription factors and binds target DNA, or response elements, as a homodimer or heterodimer with the 9-cis retinoid X receptor (RXR). In this chapter, we survey the current understanding of VDR-DNA interactions, emphasizing recent structural insights. We highlight the stereochemical interactions that dictate DNA binding and hexameric half-site sequence affinity as well as the protein-protein interactions that account for preferential binding to a direct repeat of half-sites with three base pairs of spacer DNA (DR3). In addition, we review alternative response element arrangements other than those with DR3. Finally, the chapter discusses the VDR DNA binding domain (DBD) and suggests that it violates classical canons because it does not heterodimerize with the RXR DBD. This unique behavior of VDR is considered in light of recent results demonstrating the formation of VDR DBD-DNA and DR3 DBD-DNA complexes with RXR using a mutant VDR protomer.

DNA↗

PubMed2004

DNA recognition by nuclear receptors.

The nuclear receptors constitute a large family of ligand-inducible transcription factors. The control of many genetic pathways requires the assembly of these nuclear receptors in defined transcription-activating complexes within control regions of ligand-responsive genes. An essential step is the interaction of the receptors with specific DNA sequences, called hormone-response elements (HREs). These response elements position the receptors, and the complexes recruited by them, close to the genes of which transcription is affected. HREs are bipartite elements that are composed of two hexameric core half-site motifs. The identity of the response elements resides in three features: the nucleotide sequence of the two core motif half-sites, the number of base pairs separating them and the relative orientation of the motifs. The DNA-binding domains of nuclear receptors consist of two zinc-nucleated modules and a C-terminal extension. Residues in the first module determine the specificity of the DNA recognition, while residues in the second module are involved in dimerization. Indeed, nuclear receptors bind to their HREs as either homodimers or heterodimers. Depending on the type of receptor, the C-terminal extension plays a role in sequence recognition, dimerization, or both. The DNA-binding domain is furthermore involved in several other functions including nuclear localization, and interaction with transcription factors and co-activators. It is also the target of post-translational modifications. The DNA-binding domain therefore plays a central role, not only in the correct binding of the receptors to the target genes, but also in the control of other steps of the action mechanism of nuclear receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Structure of the N-terminal domain of GRP94. Basis for ligand specificity and regulation.

GRP94, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) paralog of the chaperone Hsp90, plays an essential role in the structural maturation or secretion of a subset of proteins destined for transport to the cell surface, such as the Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and IgG, respectively. GRP94 differs from cytoplasmic Hsp90 by exhibiting very weak ATP binding and hydrolysis activity. GRP94 also binds selectively to a series of substituted adenosine analogs. The high resolution crystal structures at 1.75-2.1 A of the N-terminal and adjacent charged domains of GRP94 in complex with N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, radicicol, and 2-chlorodideoxyadenosine reveals a structural mechanism for ligand discrimination among hsp90 family members. The structures also identify a putative subdomain that may act as a ligand-responsive switch. The residues of the charged region fold into a disordered loop whose termini are ordered and continue the twisted beta sheet that forms the structural core of the N-domain. This continuation of the beta sheet past the charged domain suggests a structural basis for the association of the N-terminal and middle domains of the full-length chaperone.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2002

Structural basis of VDR-DNA interactions on direct repeat response elements.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) forms homo- or heterodimers on response elements composed of two hexameric half-sites separated by 3 bp of spacer DNA. We describe here the crystal structures at 2.7-2.8 A resolution of the VDR DNA-binding region (DBD) in complex with response elements from three different promoters: osteopontin (SPP), canonical DR3 and osteocalcin (OC). These structures reveal the chemical basis for the increased affinity of VDR for the SPP response element, and for the poor stability of the VDR-OC complex, relative to the canonical DR3 response element. The homodimeric protein-protein interface is stabilized by van der Waals interactions and is predominantly non-polar. An extensive alpha-helix at the C-terminal end of the VDR DBD resembles that found in the thyroid hormone receptor (TR), and suggests a mechanism by which VDR and TR discriminate among response elements. Selective structure-based mutations in the asymmetric homodimeric interface result in a VDR DBD protein that is defective in homodimerization but now forms heterodimers with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) DBD.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗