9glu
Crystal structure of KRasG12D-GDP in complex with the peptide MPB1
Structural highlights
DiseaseRASK_HUMAN Defects in KRAS are a cause of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) [MIM:601626. AML is a malignant disease in which hematopoietic precursors are arrested in an early stage of development.[1] Defects in KRAS are a cause of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) [MIM:607785. JMML is a pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome that constitutes approximately 30% of childhood cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and 2% of leukemia. It is characterized by leukocytosis with tissue infiltration and in vitro hypersensitivity of myeloid progenitors to granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. Defects in KRAS are the cause of Noonan syndrome type 3 (NS3) [MIM:609942. Noonan syndrome (NS) [MIM:163950 is a disorder characterized by dysmorphic facial features, short stature, hypertelorism, cardiac anomalies, deafness, motor delay, and a bleeding diathesis. It is a genetically heterogeneous and relatively common syndrome, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 1000-2500 live births. Rarely, NS is associated with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). NS3 inheritance is autosomal dominant.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Defects in KRAS are a cause of gastric cancer (GASC) [MIM:613659; also called gastric cancer intestinal or stomach cancer. Gastric cancer is a malignant disease which starts in the stomach, can spread to the esophagus or the small intestine, and can extend through the stomach wall to nearby lymph nodes and organs. It also can metastasize to other parts of the body. The term gastric cancer or gastric carcinoma refers to adenocarcinoma of the stomach that accounts for most of all gastric malignant tumors. Two main histologic types are recognized, diffuse type and intestinal type carcinomas. Diffuse tumors are poorly differentiated infiltrating lesions, resulting in thickening of the stomach. In contrast, intestinal tumors are usually exophytic, often ulcerating, and associated with intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, most often observed in sporadic disease.[8] [9] [10] Note=Defects in KRAS are a cause of pylocytic astrocytoma (PA). Pylocytic astrocytomas are neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord derived from glial cells which vary from histologically benign forms to highly anaplastic and malignant tumors.[11] Defects in KRAS are a cause of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC syndrome) [MIM:115150; also known as cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome. CFC syndrome is characterized by a distinctive facial appearance, heart defects and mental retardation. Heart defects include pulmonic stenosis, atrial septal defects and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Some affected individuals present with ectodermal abnormalities such as sparse, friable hair, hyperkeratotic skin lesions and a generalized ichthyosis-like condition. Typical facial features are similar to Noonan syndrome. They include high forehead with bitemporal constriction, hypoplastic supraorbital ridges, downslanting palpebral fissures, a depressed nasal bridge, and posteriorly angulated ears with prominent helices. The inheritance of CFC syndrome is autosomal dominant. Note=KRAS mutations are involved in cancer development. FunctionRASK_HUMAN Ras proteins bind GDP/GTP and possess intrinsic GTPase activity. Publication Abstract from PubMedRAS proteins control cell proliferation and activating mutations are collectively the most frequent oncogenic event observed in cancer patients, justifying investments into multiple drug discovery efforts. While RAS-directed therapeutic agents targeting either the inactive GDP-bound or the active GTP-bound state have entered the clinic, invariably resistance is observed. Mutations at drug binding sites represent a common resistance mechanism indicating the need to discover new targetable pockets in RAS. Such efforts are hindered by the small globular size of the protein, for long considered undruggable. Here we perform macrocyclic peptides mRNA and nanobody yeast display screens and discover a targetable ligand-induced pocket in RAS. In vitro and cellular experiments with the KM12 and KM12-AM nanobodies show RAS inhibition via displacement of cRAF, by affecting their protein-protein interaction via the less studied cRAF CRD domain. Further, we provide orthogonal functional validation for the discovered binding pocket via mutagenesis experiments. Notably, the discovered RAS-targeting approach enables simultaneous targeting of both GTP-bound active and GDP-bound inactive states and leaves the SwII pocket unaltered, opening possibilities of combinatorial approaches with clinically approved SwII pocket inhibitors. Identification and characterization of binders to a cryptic and functional pocket in KRAS.,Beyer KS, Klein J, Katz S, Welker P, Lanter M, Guthy D, Pollehn K, Gluck-Gade A, Bleu M, Desogus J, Hattenberger M, Borrello D, Abdul Rahman W, Zink F, Ostermann N, Jahnke W, Dumelin CE, Leder L, Esser O, Muller L, Marzinzik A, Cebe R, Muller K, Galli GG, Tordella L, Cotesta S, Brachmann SM, Maira SM Nat Commun. 2025 Dec 2;16(1):10836. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-65844-3. PMID:41330964[12] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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