8pfo
Crystal structure of WRN helicase domain in complex with HRO761
Structural highlights
DiseaseWRN_HUMAN Defects in WRN are a cause of Werner syndrome (WRN) [MIM:277700. WRN is a rare autosomal recessive progeroid syndrome characterized by the premature onset of multiple age-related disorders, including atherosclerosis, cancer, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, ocular cataracts and osteoporosis. The major cause of death, at a median age of 47, is myocardial infarction. Currently all known WS mutations produces prematurely terminated proteins.[1] Defects in WRN may be a cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) [MIM:114500. FunctionWRN_HUMAN Multifunctional enzyme that has both magnesium and ATP-dependent DNA-helicase activity and 3'->5' exonuclease activity towards double-stranded DNA with a 5'-overhang. Has no nuclease activity towards single-stranded DNA or blunt-ended double-stranded DNA. Binds preferentially to DNA substrates containing alternate secondary structures, such as replication forks and Holliday junctions. May play an important role in the dissociation of joint DNA molecules that can arise as products of homologous recombination, at stalled replication forks or during DNA repair. Alleviates stalling of DNA polymerases at the site of DNA lesions. Important for genomic integrity. Plays a role in the formation of DNA replication focal centers; stably associates with foci elements generating binding sites for RP-A (By similarity).[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Publication Abstract from PubMedThe Werner syndrome RecQ helicase WRN was identified as a synthetic lethal target in cancer cells with microsatellite instability (MSI) by several genetic screens(1-6). Despite advances in treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors(7-10), there is an unmet need in the treatment of MSI cancers(11-14). Here we report the structural, biochemical, cellular and pharmacological characterization of the clinical-stage WRN helicase inhibitor HRO761, which was identified through an innovative hit-finding and lead-optimization strategy. HRO761 is a potent, selective, allosteric WRN inhibitor that binds at the interface of the D1 and D2 helicase domains, locking WRN in an inactive conformation. Pharmacological inhibition by HRO761 recapitulated the phenotype observed by WRN genetic suppression, leading to DNA damage and inhibition of tumour cell growth selectively in MSI cells in a p53-independent manner. Moreover, HRO761 led to WRN degradation in MSI cells but not in microsatellite-stable cells. Oral treatment with HRO761 resulted in dose-dependent in vivo DNA damage induction and tumour growth inhibition in MSI cell- and patient-derived xenograft models. These findings represent preclinical pharmacological validation of WRN as a therapeutic target in MSI cancers. A clinical trial with HRO761 (NCT05838768) is ongoing to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary anti-tumour activity in patients with MSI colorectal cancer and other MSI solid tumours. Discovery of WRN inhibitor HRO761 with synthetic lethality in MSI cancers.,Ferretti S, Hamon J, de Kanter R, Scheufler C, Andraos-Rey R, Barbe S, Bechter E, Blank J, Bordas V, Dammassa E, Decker A, Di Nanni N, Dourdoigne M, Gavioli E, Hattenberger M, Heuser A, Hemmerlin C, Hinrichs J, Kerr G, Laborde L, Jaco I, Nunez EJ, Martus HJ, Quadt C, Reschke M, Romanet V, Schaeffer F, Schoepfer J, Schrapp M, Strang R, Voshol H, Wartmann M, Welly S, Zecri F, Hofmann F, Mobitz H, Cortes-Cros M Nature. 2024 May;629(8011):443-449. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07350-y. Epub 2024 , Apr 24. PMID:38658754[7] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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