A screen of FDA-approved drugs identifies inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 4A3 (PTP4A3 or PRL-3)

Sci Rep. 2021 May 13;11(1):10302. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-89668-5.

Abstract

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 4A3 (PTP4A3 or PRL-3) is highly expressed in a variety of cancers, where it promotes tumor cell migration and metastasis leading to poor prognosis. Despite its clinical significance, small molecule inhibitors of PRL-3 are lacking. Here, we screened 1443 FDA-approved drugs for their ability to inhibit the activity of the PRL phosphatase family. We identified five specific inhibitors for PRL-3 as well as one selective inhibitor of PRL-2. Additionally, we found nine drugs that broadly and significantly suppressed PRL activity. Two of these broad-spectrum PRL inhibitors, Salirasib and Candesartan, blocked PRL-3-induced migration in human embryonic kidney cells with no impact on cell viability. Both drugs prevented migration of human colorectal cancer cells in a PRL-3 dependent manner and were selective towards PRLs over other phosphatases. In silico modeling revealed that Salirasib binds a putative allosteric site near the WPD loop of PRL-3, while Candesartan binds a potentially novel targetable site adjacent to the CX5R motif. Inhibitor binding at either of these sites is predicted to trap PRL-3 in a closed conformation, preventing substrate binding and inhibiting function.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Approval / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PTP4A3 protein, human
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases