Computer-Aided Discovery of Massonianoside B as a Novel Selective DOT1L Inhibitor

ACS Chem Biol. 2019 May 17;14(5):873-881. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00933. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Abstract

Protein methyltransferases (PMTs) are involved in numerous biological processes and have been studied as a promising target class in the field of oncology and other diseases. Disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L), a histone H3 lysine 79 (H3K79) methyltransferase, plays an important role in the progressions of mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemias and has been validated as a potential therapeutic target. Here we report the discovery and characterization of a novel DOT1L inhibitor, massonianoside B (MA), by pharmacophore-based in silico screening and biological studies. MA is a structurally unique natural product inhibitor of DOT1L with an IC50 value of 399 nM. The compound displays high selectivity for DOT1L over other S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-dependent PMTs. Treatment of MLL-rearranged leukemia cells with MA gives a dose-dependent reduction in cellular levels of histone lysine 79 mono- and dimethylation without affecting the methylation of other histone sites. Moreover, MA selectively inhibits proliferation and causes apoptosis in MLL-rearranged leukemia cells and downregulates the expression of MLL fusion target genes, including HOXA9 and MEIS1. Molecular docking analysis revealed that MA may bind to the SAM-binding site of DOT1L. We identified MA as not only a novel DOT1L inhibitor with antileukemic activity but also a DOT1L-targeted molecular probe that may serve as a useful chemical tool for investigating the role of DOT1L in biological processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • DNA Methylation
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / genetics
  • Leukemia / pathology
  • Mannose / chemistry
  • Mannose / pharmacology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / drug effects

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • massonianoside B
  • DOT1L protein, human
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Mannose