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H2020Individual fellowship2019–2021

CSI AurkA-MYC · Conformational Shift Inducers (CSI): An atomistic level investigation of Aurora kinase A (AurkA)–MYC interaction and its distortion by CSI compounds

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-06-01 → 2021-05-31
EU contribution
€174,806
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST

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Results in brief

Conformational Shift Inducers (CSI): An atomistic level investigation of Aurora kinase A (AurkA)–MYC interaction and its distortion by CSI compounds

In recent years, remarkable progress in cancer research and treatment have been observed, and with the most tumours ever-increasing survival rates are constantly witnessed. Simultaneously, however, little progress is observed in the treatment of some specific solid tumours, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, it has been estimated that by 2035 cancer may even be the leading cause of death in the EU. Therefore, novel therapy options are needed especially for these cancers that are lacking efficient treatment options. One potential treatment option for a sub-type of HCC is to target MYC protein. Unfortunately, direct MYC targeting appears infeasible due to its highly flexible nature. However, indirect MYC targeting via a protein kinase called Aurora kinase A (AurkA) might be a viable option. There already exist AurkA targeting traditional kinase inhibitors, but their extensive inhibition of the kinase’s enzyme activity may result to on-target toxicity that most often is seen as hematotoxic responses, which limits their usability. In this action, we investigated so-called conformational shift inducing inhibitors, which disrupt the AurkA–MYC interaction but would have more limited kinase inhibition, potentially offering a suitable therapeutic usage without the side-effects of the potent kinase inhibitors. As MYC (and AurkA) is extremely flexible protein, the objective of the action was to obtain structural understanding of the interplay of these proteins and the binding mode of our conformational shift inducing compounds using computational tools, mainly by long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations. This information would facilitate compound design of the conformational shift inducers, and potentially lead to novel therapy options.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

In recent years, remarkable advances in cancer research and treatment have been made. Still, little progress is observed in the treatment of specific solid tumours, e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma. The oncoprotein MYC is frequently involved in the genesis and maintenance of human solid tumours and therefore represents a highly promising drug target. Unfortunately, as MYC does not withhold any potential binding cavities for druglike small-molecules, it has been long considered as an undruggable protein. Recently, however, a potential way to target this oncogene indirectly via Aurora kinase A (AurkA) was introduced. When bound to MYC, AurkA shields it from proteasomal degradation. Specific AurkA inhibitors that are conformational shift inducers (CSIs) prevent MYC binding to AurkA, finally leading to MYC’s proteasomal degradation. This type of inhibition holds a great promise for indirectly targeting MYC. However, the precise mechanism of AurkA–MYC binding is unknown and it is unclear what the most important characteristics of a CSI compound in preventing this protein–protein interaction are. These uncertainties are currently the limiting step in the compound design process and hinder the ongoing drug development. To this end, this research project aims to characterize and study the AurkA–MYC interaction and CSI compounds’ binding to AurkA by long-timescale all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The main objectives of this research are to understand the AurkA–MYC interaction on the molecular level and to provide a mechanistic explanation of why the CSI compounds prevent the MYC binding. As a result, this research will guide the design and development of CSIs and thus may provide therapeutic possibilities for cancers with inadequate treatment options. Finally, this will establish a new way to utilize MD simulations in drug discovery and design that may be transferred to other potential drug targets in future.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITAET TUEBINGEN · TuebingenCoordinatorGermany

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union