Multi-targeting of K-Ras domains and mutations by peptide and small molecule inhibitors.
|
| Abstract |
K-Ras activating mutations are significantly associated with tumor progression and aggressive metastatic behavior in various human cancers including pancreatic cancer. So far, despite a large number of concerted efforts, targeting of mutant-type K-Ras has not been successful. In this regard, we aimed to target this oncogene by a combinational approach consisting of small peptide and small molecule inhibitors. Based on a comprehensive analysis of structural and physicochemical properties of predominantly K-Ras mutants, an anti-cancer peptide library and a small molecule library were screened to simultaneously target oncogenic mutations and functional domains of mutant-type K-Ras located in the P-loop, switch I, and switch II regions. The selected peptide and small molecule showed notable binding affinities to their corresponding binding sites, and hindered the growth of tumor cells carrying K-RasG12D and K-RasG12C mutations. Of note, the expression of K-Ras downstream genes (i.e., CTNNB1, CCND1) was diminished in the treated Kras-positive cells. In conclusion, our combinational platform signifies a new potential for blockade of oncogenic K-Ras and thereby prevention of tumor progression and metastasis. However, further validations are still required regarding the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and safety of this approach.
|
|---|---|
| Authors | Mansour Poorebrahim, Mohammad Foad Abazari, Leila Moradi, Behzad Shahbazi, Reza Mahmoudi, Hourieh Kalhor, Hassan Askari, Ladan Teimoori-Toolabi |
| Journal | PLoS computational biology (PLoS Comput Biol) Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. e1009962 (04 2022) ISSN: 1553-7358 [Electronic] United States |
| PMID | 35472201 (Publication Type: Journal Article) |
| Chemical References |
|
| Topics |
|
Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!