Targeted Inhibition of the NCOA1/STAT6 Protein-Protein Interaction

J Am Chem Soc. 2017 Nov 15;139(45):16056-16059. doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b08972. Epub 2017 Nov 1.

Abstract

The complex formation between transcription factors (TFs) and coactivator proteins is required for transcriptional activity, and thus disruption of aberrantly activated TF/coactivator interactions could be an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, modulation of such protein-protein interactions (PPIs) has proven challenging. Here we report a cell-permeable, proteolytically stable, stapled helical peptide directly targeting nuclear receptor coactivator 1 (NCOA1), a coactivator required for the transcriptional activity of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). We demonstrate that this stapled peptide disrupts the NCOA1/STAT6 complex, thereby repressing STAT6-mediated transcription. Furthermore, we solved the first crystal structure of a stapled peptide in complex with NCOA1. The stapled peptide therefore represents an invaluable chemical probe for understanding the precise role of the NCOA1/STAT6 interaction and an excellent starting point for the development of a novel class of therapeutic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Drug Design
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 1 / metabolism*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Protein Interaction Maps / drug effects*
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • NCOA1 protein, human
  • Ncoa1 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 1