7m0x
Crystal structure of the BRAF:MEK1 kinases in complex with AMPPNP and PD0325901
Structural highlights
DiseaseBRAF_HUMAN Note=Defects in BRAF are found in a wide range of cancers.[1] Defects in BRAF may be a cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) [MIM:114500.[2] Defects in BRAF are involved in lung cancer (LNCR) [MIM:211980. LNCR is a common malignancy affecting tissues of the lung. The most common form of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can be divided into 3 major histologic subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell lung cancer. NSCLC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis.[3] [4] Defects in BRAF are involved in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) [MIM:605027. NHL is a cancer that starts in cells of the lymph system, which is part of the body's immune system. NHLs can occur at any age and are often marked by enlarged lymph nodes, fever and weight loss.[5] [6] Defects in BRAF 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.[7] Defects in BRAF are the cause of Noonan syndrome type 7 (NS7) [MIM:613706. Noonan syndrome is a disorder characterized by facial dysmorphic features such as hypertelorism, a downward eyeslant and low-set posteriorly rotated ears. Other features can include short stature, a short neck with webbing or redundancy of skin, cardiac anomalies, deafness, motor delay and variable intellectual deficits.[8] [9] Defects in BRAF are the cause of LEOPARD syndrome type 3 (LEOPARD3) [MIM:613707. LEOPARD3 is a disorder characterized by lentigines, electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities, ocular hypertelorism, pulmonic stenosis, abnormalities of genitalia, retardation of growth, and sensorineural deafness.[10] [11] Note=A chromosomal aberration involving BRAF is found in pilocytic astrocytomas. A tandem duplication of 2 Mb at 7q34 leads to the expression of a KIAA1549-BRAF fusion protein with a constitutive kinase activity and inducing cell transformation.[12] FunctionBRAF_HUMAN Involved in the transduction of mitogenic signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus. May play a role in the postsynaptic responses of hippocampal neuron. Publication Abstract from PubMedThe RAF/MEK/ERK pathway is central to the control of cell physiology, and its dysregulation is associated with many cancers. Accordingly, the proteins constituting this pathway, including MEK1/2 (MEK), have been subject to intense drug discovery and development efforts. Allosteric MEK inhibitors (MEKi) exert complex effects on RAF/MEK/ERK pathway signaling and are employed clinically in combination with BRAF inhibitors in malignant melanoma. Although mechanisms and structures of MEKi bound to MEK have been described for many of these compounds, recent studies suggest that RAF/MEK complexes, rather than free MEK, should be evaluated as the target of MEKi. Here, we describe structural and biochemical studies of eight structurally diverse, clinical-stage MEKi to better understand their mechanism of action on BRAF/MEK complexes. We find that all of these agents bind in the MEK allosteric site in BRAF/MEK complexes, in which they stabilize the MEK activation loop in a conformation that is resistant to BRAF-mediated dual phosphorylation required for full activation of MEK. We also show that allosteric MEK inhibitors act most potently on BRAF/MEK complexes rather than on free active MEK, further supporting the notion that a BRAF/MEK complex is the physiologically relevant pharmacologic target for this class of compounds. Our findings provide a conceptual and structural framework for rational development of RAF-selective MEK inhibitors as an avenue to more effective and better-tolerated agents targeting this pathway. Allosteric MEK inhibitors act on BRAF/MEK complexes to block MEK activation.,Gonzalez-Del Pino GL, Li K, Park E, Schmoker AM, Ha BH, Eck MJ Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Sep 7;118(36):e2107207118. doi: , 10.1073/pnas.2107207118. PMID:34470822[13] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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