Structure-Based Screening Reveals a Ligand That Stabilizes the [2Fe-2S] Clusters of Human mitoNEET and Reduces Ovarian Cancer Cell Proliferation

J Phys Chem B. 2022 Nov 24;126(46):9559-9565. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05728. Epub 2022 Nov 14.

Abstract

Human NEET proteins play an important role in a variety of diseases, including cancer. Using the recently published X-ray structure of the human mNT-M1 complex, we screened a commercial chemical compound library and identified a new human mitoNEET (mNT) binding ligand (NTS-01). Biochemical investigations revealed that NTS-01 specifically binds to the human mNT protein and stabilizes its [2Fe-2S] clusters under oxidative conditions in vitro. Treatment of ovarian cancer cells with NTS-01 induces ovarian cancer (SKOV-3) mitochondrial fragmentation (fission) and reduces ovarian cancer cell proliferation in a 2D single-layer cell culture, as well as in a 3D-spheroids culture. The NTS-01 molecule represents therefore a new lead compound for further drug design studies attempting to develop efficient treatment against ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins* / chemistry
  • Ligands
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / chemistry
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Mitochondrial Proteins