Disruption of Bcr-Abl coiled coil oligomerization by design

J Biol Chem. 2011 Aug 5;286(31):27751-60. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.264903. Epub 2011 Jun 9.

Abstract

Oligomerization is an important regulatory mechanism for many proteins, including oncoproteins and other pathogenic proteins. The oncoprotein Bcr-Abl relies on oligomerization via its coiled coil domain for its kinase activity, suggesting that a designed coiled coil domain with enhanced binding to Bcr-Abl and reduced self-oligomerization would be therapeutically useful. Key mutations in the coiled coil domain of Bcr-Abl were identified that reduce homo-oligomerization through intermolecular charge-charge repulsion yet increase interaction with the Bcr-Abl coiled coil through additional salt bridges, resulting in an enhanced ability to disrupt the oligomeric state of Bcr-Abl. The mutations were modeled computationally to optimize the design. Assays performed in vitro confirmed the validity and functionality of the optimal mutations, which were found to exhibit reduced homo-oligomerization and increased binding to the Bcr-Abl coiled coil domain. Introduction of the mutant coiled coil into K562 cells resulted in decreased phosphorylation of Bcr-Abl, reduced cell proliferation, and increased caspase-3/7 activity and DNA segmentation. Importantly, the mutant coiled coil domain was more efficacious than the wild type in all experiments performed. The improved inhibition of Bcr-Abl through oligomeric disruption resulting from this modified coiled coil domain represents a viable alternative to small molecule inhibitors for therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biopolymers / chemistry*
  • Blotting, Western
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Computer Simulation
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / chemistry*
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • K562 Cells
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutagenesis
  • Plasmids
  • Protein Binding
  • Thermodynamics
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl