Small Changes Make the Difference for SIRT2: Two Different Binding Modes for 3-Arylmercapto-Acylated Lysine Derivatives

Biochemistry. 2022 Sep 6;61(17):1705-1722. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00211. Epub 2022 Aug 16.

Abstract

Sirtuins are protein deacylases regulating metabolism and stress responses and implicated in aging-related diseases. Modulators of the human sirtuins 1-7 are sought as chemical tools and potential therapeutics, for example, for treatment of cancer. We were able to show that 3-aryl-mercapto-succinylated- and 3-benzyl-mercapto-succinylated peptide derivatives yield selective Sirt5 inhibitors with low nM Ki values. Here, we synthesized and characterized 3-aryl-mercapto-butyrylated peptide derivatives as effective and selective sirtuin 2 inhibitors with KD values in the low nanomolar range. According to kinetic measurements and microscale thermophoresis/surface plasmon resonance experiments, the respective inhibitors bind with the 3-aryl-mercapto moiety in the selectivity pocket of Sirtuin 2, inducing a rearrangement of the active site. In contrast, 3-aryl-mercapto-nonalyl or palmitoyl derivatives are characterized by a switch in the binding mode blocking both the hydrophobic channel by the fatty acyl chain and the nicotinamide pocket by the 3-aryl-mercapto moiety.

MeSH terms

  • Catalytic Domain
  • Humans
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Niacinamide
  • Peptides
  • Sirtuin 2* / metabolism
  • Sirtuins* / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Niacinamide
  • SIRT2 protein, human
  • Sirtuin 2
  • Sirtuins
  • Lysine