Discovery of Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 Interaction via Structural Simplification Strategy

Blockade of the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction is currently the focus in the field of cancer immunotherapy, and so far, several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have achieved encouraging outcomes in cancer treatment. Despite this achievement, mAbs-based therapies are struggling with limitations including poor tissue and tumor penetration, long half-life time, poor oral bioavailability, and expensive production costs, which prompted a shift towards the development of the small-molecule inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 pathways. Even though many small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have been reported, their development lags behind the corresponding mAb, partly due to the challenges of developing drug-like small molecules. Herein, we report the discovery of a series of novel inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 interaction via structural simplification strategy by using BMS-1058 as a starting point. Among them, compound A9 stands out as the most promising candidate with excellent PD-L1 inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 0.93 nM, LE = 0.43) and high binding affinity to hPD-L1 (K_D = 3.64 nM, LE = 0.40). Furthermore, A9 can significantly promote the production of IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner by rescuing PD-L1 mediated T-cell inhibition in Hep3B/OS-8/hPD-L1 and CD3-positive T cells co-culture assay. Taken together, these results suggest that A9 is a promising inhibitor of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and is worthy for further study.     

Structural Characterization of a Macrocyclic Peptide Modulator of the PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Axis

The clinical success of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint targeting antibodies in cancer is followed by efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors with better penetration into solid tumors and more favorable pharmacokinetics. Here we report the crystal structure of a macrocyclic peptide inhibitor (peptide 104) in complex with PD-L1. Our structure shows no indication of an unusual bifurcated binding mode demonstrated earlier for another peptide of the same family (peptide 101). The binding mode relies on extensive hydrophobic interactions at the center of the binding surface and an electrostatic patch at the side. An interesting sulfur/π interaction supports the macrocycle-receptor binding. Overall, our results allow a better understanding of forces guiding macrocycle affinity for PD-L1, providing a rationale for future structure-based inhibitor design and rational optimization.     

Computer- and NMR-Aided Design of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Hub1 Protein

By binding to the spliceosomal protein Snu66, the human ubiquitin-like protein Hub1 is a modulator of the spliceosome performance and facilitates alternative splicing. Small molecules that bind to Hub1 would be of interest to study the protein-protein interaction of Hub1/Snu66, which is linked to several human pathologies, such as hypercholesterolemia, premature aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. To identify small molecule ligands for Hub1, we used the interface analysis, peptide modeling of the Hub1/Snu66 interaction and the fragment-based NMR screening. Fragment-based NMR screening has not proven sufficient to unambiguously search for fragments that bind to the Hub1 protein. This was because the Snu66 binding pocket of Hub1 is occupied by pH-sensitive residues, making it difficult to distinguish between pH-induced NMR shifts and actual binding events. The NMR analyses were therefore verified experimentally by microscale thermophoresis and by NMR pH titration experiments. Our study found two small peptides that showed binding to Hub1. These peptides are the first small-molecule ligands reported to interact with the Hub1 protein.     

Virtual Screening and In Vitro Evaluation of PD-1 Dimer Stabilizers for Uncoupling PD-1/PD-L1 Interaction from Natural Products

Genetic mutations accumulated overtime could generate many growth and survival advantages for cancer cells, but these mutations also mark cancer cells as targets to be eliminated by the immune system. To evade immune surveillance, cancer cells adopted different intrinsic molecules to suppress immune response. PD-L1 is frequently overexpressed in many cancer cells, and its engagement with PD-1 on T cells diminishes the extent of cytotoxicity from the immune system. To resume immunity for fighting cancer, several therapeutic antibodies disrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have been introduced in clinical practice. However, their immunogenicity, low tissue penetrance, and high production costs rendered these antibodies beneficial to only a limited number of patients. PD-L1 dimer formation shields the interaction interface for PD-1 binding; hence, screening for small molecule compounds stabilizing the PD-L1 dimer may make immune therapy more effective and widely affordable. In the current study, 111 candidates were selected from over 180,000 natural compound structures through virtual screening, contact fingerprint analysis, and pharmacological property prediction. Twenty-two representative candidates were further evaluated in vitro. Two compounds were found capable of inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and promoting PD-L1 dimer formation. Further structure optimization and clinical development of these lead inhibitors will eventually lead to more effective and affordable immunotherapeutic drugs for cancer patients.     

Ezrin Modulates the Cell Surface Expression of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 in Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells

Cancer cells employ programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), an immune checkpoint protein that binds to programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and is highly expressed in various cancers, including cervical carcinoma, to abolish T-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. Despite a key role of PD-L1 in various cancer cell types, the regulatory mechanism for PD-L1 expression is largely unknown. Understanding this mechanism could provide a novel strategy for cervical cancer therapy. Here, we investigated the influence of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) family scaffold proteins, crosslinking the actin cytoskeleton and certain plasma membrane proteins, on the expression of PD-L1 in HeLa cells. Our results showed that all proteins were expressed at mRNA and protein levels and that all ERM proteins were highly colocalized with PD-L1 in the plasma membrane. Interestingly, immunoprecipitation assay results demonstrated that PD-L1 interacted with ERM as well as actin cytoskeleton proteins. Furthermore, gene silencing of ezrin, but not radixin and moesin, remarkably decreased the protein expression of PD-L1 without affecting its mRNA expression. In conclusion, ezrin may function as a scaffold protein for PD-L1; regulate PD-L1 protein expression, possibly via post-translational modification in HeLa cells; and serve as a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer, improving the current immune checkpoint blockade therapy.     

氨基乙内酰脲类BACE1抑制剂的特征结构与作用机制

对BACE1抑制剂的研究与开发已成为目前治疗阿尔兹海默症的主要研究方向之一。本文选取105个氨基乙内酰脲类BACE1抑制剂作为研究对象,借助比较分子相似性指数(Comparative Molecular Similarity Index, CoMSIA)和分子对接方法,建立定量构效关系预测模型,研究影响化合物抑制活性的特征结构信息,揭示该类抑制剂与靶标之间的作用模式。结果表明,模型(Q_²=0.45, R_²ncv=0.87, R_²pre=0.85)具有较强的预测能力,抑制剂主要占据了靶标的S3、S1和S2"位点,其主要作用力类型为氢键力。实验所得模型和信息可为日后研究开发新型高效的BACE1抑制剂提供一定的理论指导,节省研究时间与费用。     

IOPY/ISPY类HIV-1逆转录酶抑制剂的定量构效关系研究

C-5修饰的3-碘-4-芳氧基/芳硫基吡啶酮(IOPY/ISPY)类化合物是一类潜在的HIV-1非核苷类逆转录酶抑制剂, 特别是这类化合物因具有同时抑制野生型和突变型病毒株的特性, 而受到更加广泛的关注. 首先利用两套2D通用描述符同时构建了该类化合物的线性和非线性定量构效关系模型. 结果表明这些模型都具有较好的预测能力, 并且非线性模型较线性模型预测能力更好些. 为了更好、更形象地描述逆转录酶抑制剂的特征, 进一步结合三维定量构效关系(3D-QSAR)模型, 以及SAReport分析对该类化合物同时抑制野生型和突变型病毒株的结构特征进行了分析, 发现在对这类化合物进行结构修饰时, 需要服从如下三条理论指导原则: (1) R基团中的正负电场分布情况对化合物的活性起着关键作用|(2) R基团最好具有芳香环或芳香杂环和(3) R基团的环结构上连接的取代基不宜太多.     

二氢异喹啉类BACE1抑制剂的特征结构及结合模式研究

β-分泌酶(BACE1)是水解淀粉样前体蛋白生成β-淀粉样多肽的关键限速酶,近年来已成为治疗阿尔茨海默症的一个理想靶点。本文以34个二氢异喹啉类BACE1抑制剂为研究对象,采用比较分子相似性指数(CoMSIA)法定量研究其结构与生物活性间的构效关系,并建立可靠的3D-QSAR预测模型,运用分子对接法分析其与受体BACE1间的结合模式。结果显示,基于立体场、疏水场和氢键供体场建立的CoMSIA模型稳定性良好、预测能力强(Q~2=0.47,R_(ncv)~2=0.93,R_(pre)~2=0.95)。本研究所得模型和信息较好地解释了二氢异喹啉类BACE1抑制剂的结构特征及其与受体间的结合模式,为后续新型BACE1抑制剂的设计开发提供理论指导。     

Studies towards the Design and Synthesis of Novel 1,5-Diaryl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic Acids and 1,5-Diaryl-1H-imidazole-4-carbohydrazides as Host LEDGF/p75 and HIV-1 Integrase Interaction Inhibitors

Two targeted sets of novel 1,5-diaryl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acids 10 and carbohydrazides 11 were designed and synthesized from their corresponding ester intermediates 17, which were prepared via cycloaddition of ethyl isocyanoacetate 16 and diarylimidoyl chlorides 15. Evaluation of these new target scaffolds in the AlphaScreen^TM HIV-1 IN-LEDGF/p75 inhibition assay identified seventeen compounds exceeding the pre-defined 50% inhibitory threshold at 100 µM concentration. Further evaluation of these compounds in the HIV-1 IN strand transfer assay at 100 μM showed that none of the compounds (with the exception of 10a, 10l, and 11k, with marginal inhibitory percentages) were actively bound to the active site, indicating that they are selectively binding to the LEDGF/p75-binding pocket. In a cell-based HIV-1 antiviral assay, compounds 11a, 11b, 11g, and 11h exhibited moderate antiviral percentage inhibition of 33–45% with cytotoxicity (CC₅₀) values of >200 µM, 158.4 µM, >200 µM, and 50.4 µM, respectively. The antiviral inhibitory activity displayed by 11h was attributed to its toxicity. Upon further validation of their ability to induce multimerization in a Western blot gel assay, compounds 11a, 11b, and 11h appeared to increase higher-order forms of IN.     

Molecular modeling study of checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors by multiple docking strategies and prime/MM-GBSA calculation

Developing chemicals that inhibit checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is a promising adjuvant therapeutic to improve the efficacy and selectivity of DNA-targeting agents. Reliable prediction of binding-free energy and binding affinity of Chk1 inhibitors can provide a guide for rational drug design. In this study, multiple docking strategies and Prime/Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (Prime/MM-GBSA) calculation were applied to predict the binding mode and free energy for a series of benzoisoquinolinones as Chk1 inhibitors. Reliable docking results were obtained using induced-fit docking and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) docking, which showed superior performance on both ligand binding pose and docking score accuracy to the rigid-receptor docking. Then, the Prime/MM-GBSA method based on the docking complex was used to predict the binding-free energy. The combined use of QM/MM docking and Prime/MM-GBSA method could give a high correlation between the predicted binding-free energy and experimentally determined pIC(50) . The molecular docking combined with Prime/MM-GBSA simulation can not only be used to rapidly and accurately predict the binding-free energy of novel Chk1 inhibitors but also provide a novel strategy for lead discovery and optimization targeting Chk1.     

Pharmacokinetic Characterization of the DDAH1 Inhibitors ZST316 and ZST152 in Mice Using a HPLC-MS/MS Method

The pharmacokinetic profile of ZST316 and ZST152, arginine analogues with inhibitory activity towards human dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH1), was investigated in mice using a newly developed HPLC-MS/MS method. The method proved to be reproducible, precise, and accurate for the measurement of the compounds in plasma and urine. Four-week-old female FVB mice received a single dose of ZST316 and ZST152 by intravenous bolus (30 mg/Kg) and oral gavage (60 mg/Kg). ZST316 Cmax was 67.4 µg/mL (intravenous) and 1.02 µg/mL (oral), with a half-life of 6 h and bioavailability of 4.7%. ZST152 Cmax was 24.9 µg/mL (intravenous) and 1.65 µg/mL (oral), with a half-life of 1.2 h and bioavailability of 33.3%. Urinary excretion of ZST152 and ZST316 was 12.5%–22.2% and 2.3%–7.5%, respectively. At least eight urinary metabolites were identified. After chronic intraperitoneal treatment with the more potent DDAH1 inhibitor, ZST316 (30 mg/Kg/day for three weeks), the bioavailability was 59% and no accumulation was observed. Treatment was well tolerated with no changes in body weight vs. untreated animals and no clinical signs of toxicity or distress. The results of this study show that ZST316 has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, following intraperitoneal administration, to investigate the effects of DDAH1 inhibition in mice.     

Dopamine derivatives from the insect Polyrhachis dives as inhibitors of ROCK1/2 and stimulators of neural stem cell proliferation

Polyrhachis dives is consumed as an insect food in some regions of China. In this study, new dopamine derivatives, (+)-polyrhadopamine A (1a) and (−)-polyrhadopamine A (1b), (+)-polyrhadopamine B (2a) and (−)-polyrhadopamine B (2b), and polyrhadopamines C–E (3–5), were isolated from this species. The structures and stereochemistry of these substances were assigned by using spectroscopic and computational methods. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b are dimeric N-acetyldopamine derivatives, 3 is a dopamine analog containing an unusual sulfone group, and 4 and 5 possess a rare benzo[d]thiazole moiety. The functions of these substances as ROCK1/2 inhibitors, neural stem cell (NSCs) proliferation stimulators, immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory agents were determined.     

A quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics study of the protein-ligand interaction for inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 integrase (HIV-1 IN) is an essential enzyme for effective viral replication. Diketo acids such as L-731,988 and S-1360 are potent and selective inhibitors of HIV-1 IN. In this study, we used molecular dynamics simulations, within the hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach, to determine the protein-ligand interaction energy between HIV-1 IN and L-731,988 and 10 of its derivatives and analogues. This hybrid methodology has the advantage that it includes quantum effects such as ligand polarisation upon binding, which can be very important when highly polarisable groups are embedded in anisotropic environments, as for example in metal-containing active sites. Furthermore, an energy decomposition analysis was performed to determine the contributions of individual residues to the enzyme-inhibitor interactions on averaged structures obtained from rather extensive conformational sampling. Analysis of the results reveals first that there is a correlation between protein-ligand interaction energy and experimental strand transfer into human chromosomes and secondly that the Asn-155, Lys-156 and Lys-159 residues and the Mg(2+) ion are crucial to anti-HIV IN activity. These results may explain the available experimental data.     

13C NMR Study of Ethylene/propylene/octene-1Terpolymers Synthesized with TiCl4/MgCl2/I-Bu3Al as the Catalyst

Introduction　　 Various ethylene/ α- olefin copolymers such as LLDPE,VLDPE/ ULDPE,EPR,EPDMetc.have a wide application in polymer materials science and engineering.The properties ofthose copolymers are greatly influenced by the type,content and distributions of thecomonomer branches.The effects of different kinds of chain branches,which were derivedfrom comonomerincorporationsin themain chain of the ethylene/α- olefin copolymers on theirproperties and studied by many authors,have sh…     

荧光标记法研究鱼类GABA受体与Ro7-1986/1和Fipronil的相互作用

以苯二氮卓类化合物Ro7-1986/1和氟虫腈(Fipronil)分别与异硫氰酸荧光素(FITC)反应合成了2种γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)受体的配体荧光复合物,即FITC-Ro7-1986/1(简称FITC-Ro7)和FITC-Fipronil;利用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和核磁共振氢谱(1H NMR)等手段对其结构进行了表征.以2种荧光配体为探针,采用荧光标记法研究了Ro7-1986/1和Fipronil与鳙鱼(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)脑内GABA受体的相互作用,得到了亲和常数Kd和最大结合量[RT].同时考察了GABA对Ro7-1986/1与受体相互作用的影响.研究结果表明,Ro7-1986/1和Fipronil与受体的亲和常数Kd分别为(67±5)nmol/L和(346±6)nmol/L;最大结合量[RT]分别为(13.8±1.8)pmol/mg protein和(40.6±3.5)pmol/mg protein;GABA促进了Ro7-1986/1与受体的结合,进一步的研究结果表明,鱼类与哺乳动物脑中GABA受体结构相似;相对于哺乳动物,苯吡唑类杀虫剂Fipronil对鱼类GABA的亲和力较高.     

Self‐Assembled Cyclic d,l‐α‐Peptides as Generic Conformational Inhibitors of the α‐Synuclein Aggregation and Toxicity: In Vitro and Mechanistic Studies

Many peptides and proteins with large sequences and structural differences self‐assemble into disease‐causing amyloids that share very similar biochemical and biophysical characteristics, which may contribute to their cross‐interaction. Here, we demonstrate how the self‐assembled, cyclic d,l ‐α‐peptide CP‐2 , which has similar structural and functional properties to those of amyloids, acts as a generic inhibitor of the Parkinson′s disease associated α‐synuclein (α‐syn) aggregation to toxic oligomers by an ?off‐pathway“ mechanism. We show that CP‐2 interacts with the N‐terminal and the non‐amyloid‐β component region of α‐syn, which are responsible for α‐syn′s membrane intercalation and self‐assembly, thus changing the overall conformation of α‐syn. CP‐2 also remodels α‐syn fibrils to nontoxic amorphous species and permeates cells through endosomes/lysosomes to reduce the accumulation and toxicity of intracellular α‐syn in neuronal cells overexpressing α‐syn. Our studies suggest that targeting the common structural conformation of amyloids may be a promising approach for developing new therapeutics for amyloidogenic diseases.