| 1. |
- Almanza, A., et al.
(författare)
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Endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling - from basic mechanisms to clinical applications
- 2019
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Ingår i: Febs Journal. - : Wiley. - 1742-464X. ; 286:2, s. 241-278
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a membranous intracellular organelle and the first compartment of the secretory pathway. As such, the ER contributes to the production and folding of approximately one-third of cellular proteins, and is thus inextricably linked to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and the fine balance between health and disease. Specific ER stress signalling pathways, collectively known as the unfolded protein response (UPR), are required for maintaining ER homeostasis. The UPR is triggered when ER protein folding capacity is overwhelmed by cellular demand and the UPR initially aims to restore ER homeostasis and normal cellular functions. However, if this fails, then the UPR triggers cell death. In this review, we provide a UPR signalling-centric view of ER functions, from the ER's discovery to the latest advancements in the understanding of ER and UPR biology. Our review provides a synthesis of intracellular ER signalling revolving around proteostasis and the UPR, its impact on other organelles and cellular behaviour, its multifaceted and dynamic response to stress and its role in physiology, before finally exploring the potential exploitation of this knowledge to tackle unresolved biological questions and address unmet biomedical needs. Thus, we provide an integrated and global view of existing literature on ER signalling pathways and their use for therapeutic purposes.
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| 2. |
- Amarasinghe, Kosala N., et al.
(författare)
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Sensor dimer disruption as a new mode of action to block the IRE1-mediated unfolded protein response
- 2022
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Ingår i: Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 2001-0370. ; 20, s. 1584-1592
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to cope with an accumulation of improperly folded proteins in the Endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The Inositol requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha) is the most evolutionary conserved transducer of the UPR. Activated IRE1 forms 'back-to-back'-dimers that enables the unconventional splicing of X-box Binding Protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA. The spliced XBP1 (XBP1s) mRNA is translated into a transcription factor controlling the expression of UPR target genes. Herein, we report a detailed in silico screening specifically targeting for the first time the dimer interface at the IRE1 RNase region. Using the database of FDA approved drugs, we identified four compounds (neomycin, pemetrexed, quercitrin and rutin) that were able to bind to and distort IRE1 RNase cavity. The activity of the compounds on IRE1 phosphorylation was evaluated in HEK293T cells and on IRE1 RNase activity using an in vitro fluorescence assay. These analyzes revealed sub-micromolar IC50 values. The current study reveals a new and unique mode of action to target and block the IRE1-mediated UPR signaling, whereby we may avoid problems associated with selectivity occurring when targeting the IRE1 kinase pocket as well as the inherent reactivity of covalent inhibitors targeting the RNase pocket. (C)& nbsp;2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Research Network of Computational and Structural Biotechnology.& nbsp;
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Carlesso, Antonio, 1990, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of Kinase Inhibiting RNase Attenuator (KIRA) Compounds on the Formation of Face-to-Face Dimers of Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1: Insights from Computational Modeling
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1422-0067. ; 20:22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha) is a transmembrane dual kinase/ribonuclease protein involved in propagation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha is currently being explored as a potential drug target due to the growing evidence of its role in variety of disease conditions. Upon activation, IRE1 cleaves X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA through its RNase domain. Small molecules targeting the kinase site are known to either increase or decrease RNase activity, but the allosteric relationship between the kinase and RNase domains of IRE1 alpha is poorly understood. Subsets of IRE1 kinase inhibitors (known as "KIRA" compounds) bind to the ATP-binding site and allosterically impede the RNase activity. The KIRA compounds are able to regulate the RNase activity by stabilizing the monomeric form of IRE1 alpha. In the present work, computational analysis, protein-protein and protein-ligand docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations were applied to different IRE1 dimer systems to provide structural insights into the perturbation of IRE1 dimers by small molecules kinase inhibitors that regulate the RNase activity. By analyzing structural deviations, energetic components, and the number of hydrogen bonds in the interface region, we propose that the KIRA inhibitors act at an early stage of IRE1 activation by interfering with IRE1 face-to-face dimer formation thus disabling the activation of the RNase domain. This work sheds light on the mechanism of action of KIRA compounds and may assist in development of further compounds in, for example, cancer therapeutics. The work also provides information on the sequence of events and protein-protein interactions initiating the unfolded protein response.
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| 5. |
- Carlesso, Antonio, 1990, et al.
(författare)
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Merits and pitfalls of conventional and covalent docking in identifying new hydroxyl aryl aldehyde like compounds as human IRE1 inhibitors
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IRE1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bound transmembrane bifunctional kinase and endoribonuclease protein crucial for the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway. Upon ER stress, IRE1 homodimerizes, oligomerizes and autophosphorylates resulting in endoribonuclease activity responsible for excision of a 26 nucleotide intron from the X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA. This unique splicing mechanism results in activation of the XBP1s transcription factor to specifically restore ER stress. Small molecules targeting the reactive lysine residue (Lys907) in IRE1 alpha's RNase domain have been shown to inhibit the cleavage of XBP1 mRNA. Crystal structures of murine IRE1 in complex with covalently bound hydroxyl aryl aldehyde (HAA) inhibitors show that these molecules form hydrophobic interactions with His910 and Phe889, a hydrogen bond with Tyr892 and an indispensable Schiff-base with Lys907. The availability of such data prompted interest in exploring structure-based drug design as a strategy to develop new covalently binding ligands. We extensively evaluated conventional and covalent docking for drug discovery targeting the catalytic site of the RNase domain. The results indicate that neither computational approach is fully successful in the current case, and we highlight herein the potential and limitations of the methods for the design of novel IRE1 RNase binders.
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| 6. |
- Carlesso, Antonio, 1990
(författare)
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Modeling and exploring human IRE1 as a strategy to design novel inhibitors: a computational approach
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Inositol Requiring Enzyme 1 (IRE1) is a bifunctional serine/threonine kinase and endoribonuclease that is the major mediator of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The association of IRE1 dysregulation with a wide range of human diseases, stimulated research towards the discovery of small organic molecules able to modulate IRE1 signalling, and to potentially be used as novel therapeutics. In this thesis we performed in silico three-dimensional (3D) molecular modeling analysis encompassing: (i) the selection of suitable protocols for docking and virtual screening in the IRE1 serine/threonine kinase and endoribonuclease domains studies, (ii) the exploration of IRE1 and PERK ligand interaction networks, (iii) the study of IRE1-ligand recognition phenomena in order to understand the mechanism of action of IRE1 small organic modulators and (iv) offers important insights relevant to hit-discovery and lead optimization of novel IRE1 modulators. Our structure-based drug design approach provides useful information for designing improved IRE1 ligands, as confirmed by one soon-to-be-filed patents on new inhibitors targeting IRE1, developed during the PhD period.
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| 7. |
- Carlesso, Antonio, 1990, et al.
(författare)
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New insights on human IRE1 tetramer structures based on molecular modeling
- 2020
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha; hereafter IRE1) is a transmembrane kinase/ribonuclease protein related with the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling. Experimental evidence suggests that IRE1 forms several three dimensional (3D) structural variants: dimers, tetramers and higher order oligomers, where each structural variant can contain different IRE1 conformers in different arrangements. For example, studies have shown that two sets of IRE1 dimers exist; a face-to-face dimer and a back-to-back dimer, with the latter considered the important unit for UPR signaling propagation. However, the structural configuration and mechanistic details of the biologically important IRE1 tetramers are limited. Here, we combine protein-protein docking with molecular dynamics simulations to derive human IRE1 tetramer models and identify a molecular mechanism of IRE1 activation. To validate the derived models of the human IRE1 tetramer, we compare the dynamic behavior of the models with the yeast IRE1 tetramer crystallographic structure. We show that IRE1 tetramer conformational changes could be linked to the initiation of the unconventional splicing of mRNA encoding X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1), which allows for the expression of the transcription factor XBP1s (XBP1 spliced). The derived IRE1 tetrameric models bring new mechanistic insights about the IRE1 molecular activation mechanism by describing the IRE1 tetramers as active protagonists accommodating the XBP1 substrate.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Carlesso, Antonio, 1990, et al.
(författare)
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Yeast as a tool for membrane protein production and structure determination
- 2022
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Ingår i: Fems Yeast Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1567-1356 .- 1567-1364. ; 22:1
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although the majority of eukaryotic MEMBRANE PROTEIN structures are DERIVED FROM PROTEINS produced in HEK293 and insect cells, the authors show here the importance of yeast as a production host and its role as an essential player in the production of eukaryotic membrane proteins for structural and functional analysis. Membrane proteins are challenging targets to functionally and structurally characterize. An enduring bottleneck in their study is the reliable production of sufficient yields of stable protein. Here, we evaluate all eukaryotic membrane protein production experiments that have supported the deposition of a high-resolution structure. We focused on the most common yeast host systems, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris. The first high-resolution structure of a membrane protein produced in yeast was described in 1999 and today there are 186 structures of alpha-helical membrane proteins, representing 101 unique proteins from 37 families. Homologous and heterologous production are equally common in S. cerevisiae, while heterologous production dominates in P. pastoris, especially of human proteins, which represent about one-third of the total. Investigating protein engineering approaches (78 proteins from seven families) demonstrated that the majority contained a polyhistidine tag for purification, typically at the C-terminus of the protein. Codon optimization and truncation of hydrophilic extensions were also common approaches to improve yields. We conclude that yeast remains a useful production host for the study of alpha-helical membrane proteins.
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| 10. |
- Chintha, C., et al.
(författare)
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Molecular modeling provides a structural basis for PERK inhibitor selectivity towards RIPK1
- 2020
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Ingår i: RSC Advances. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2046-2069. ; 10:1, s. 367-375
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Protein kinases are crucial drug targets in cancer therapy. Kinase inhibitors are promiscuous in nature due to the highly conserved nature of the kinase ATP binding pockets. PERK has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer. However, PERK inhibitors GSK2606414 and GSK2656157 also target RIPK1 whereas AMG44 is more specific to PERK. To understand the structural basis for the selectivity of PERK ligands to RIPK1 we have undertaken a detailed in silico analysis using molecular docking followed by molecular dynamics simulations to explore the selectivity profiles of the compounds. Although the binding sites of PERK and RIPK1 are similar, their binding response to small molecules is different. The docking models revealed a common binding mode for GSK2606414 and GSK2656157 in the RIPK1 binding site, similar to its cognate ligand. In contrast, AMG44 had a strikingly different predicted binding profile in the RIPK1 binding site with both rigid docking and induced fit docking settings. Our study shows a molecular mechanism responsible for dual targeting by the GSK ligands. More broadly, this work illustrates the potential of molecular docking to correctly predict the binding towards different kinase structures, and will aid in the design of selective PERK kinase inhibitors.
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