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Results for “INHIBITION”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Structural mechanisms of TRPV6 inhibition by ruthenium red and econazole

TRPV6 is a calcium-selective ion channel implicated in epithelial Ca 2+ uptake. TRPV6 inhibitors are needed for the treatment of a broad range of diseases associated with disturbed calcium homeostasis, including cancers. Here we combine cryo-EM, calcium imaging, and mutagenesis to explore molecular bases of human TRPV6 inhibition by the antifungal drug econazole and the universal ion channel blocker ruthenium red (RR). Econazole binds to an allosteric site at the channel’s periphery, where it replaces a lipid. In contrast, RR inhibits TRPV6 by binding in the middle of the ion channel’s selectivity filter and plugging its pore like a bottle cork. Despite different binding site locations, both inhibitors induce similar conformational changes in the channel resulting in closure of the gate formed by S6 helices bundle crossing. The uncovered molecular mechanisms of TRPV6 inhibition can guide the design of a new generation of clinically useful inhibitors.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Allosteric inhibition of HTRA1 activity by a conformational lock mechanism to treat age-related macular degeneration

The trimeric serine protease HTRA1 is a genetic risk factor associated with geographic atrophy (GA), a currently untreatable form of age-related macular degeneration. Here, we describe the allosteric inhibition mechanism of HTRA1 by a clinical Fab fragment, currently being evaluated for GA treatment. Using cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography and biochemical assays we identify the exposed LoopA of HTRA1 as the sole Fab epitope, which is approximately 30 Å away from the active site. The cryo-EM structure of the HTRA1:Fab complex in combination with molecular dynamics simulations revealed that Fab binding to LoopA locks HTRA1 in a non-competent conformational state, incapable of supporting catalysis. Moreover, grafting the HTRA1-LoopA epitope onto HTRA2 and HTRA3 transferred the allosteric inhibition mechanism. This suggests a conserved conformational lock mechanism across the HTRA family and a critical role of LoopA for catalysis, which was supported by the reduced activity of HTRA1-3 upon LoopA deletion or perturbation. This study reveals the long-range inhibition mechanism of the clinical Fab and identifies an essential function of the exposed LoopA for activity of HTRA family proteases.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

An active site loop toggles between conformations to control antibiotic hydrolysis and inhibition potency for CTX-M β-lactamase drug-resistance enzymes

Abstract β-lactamases inactivate β-lactam antibiotics leading to drug resistance. Consequently, inhibitors of β-lactamases can combat this resistance, and the β-lactamase inhibitory protein (BLIP) is a naturally occurring inhibitor. The widespread CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-15 β-lactamases have an 83% sequence identity. In this study, we show that BLIP weakly inhibits CTX-M-14 but potently inhibits CTX-M-15. The structure of the BLIP/CTX-M-15 complex reveals that binding is associated with a conformational change of an active site loop of β-lactamase. Surprisingly, the loop structure in the complex is similar to that in a drug-resistant variant (N106S) of CTX-M-14. We hypothesized that the pre-established favorable loop conformation of the N106S mutant would facilitate binding. The N106S substitution results in a ~100- and 10-fold increase in BLIP inhibition potency for CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-15, respectively. Thus, this indicates that an active site loop in β-lactamase toggles between conformations that control antibiotic hydrolysis and inhibitor susceptibility. These findings highlight the role of accessible active site conformations in controlling enzyme activity and inhibitor susceptibility as well as the influence of mutations in selectively stabilizing discrete conformations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mechanism of anion exchange and small-molecule inhibition of pendrin

Pendrin (SLC26A4) is an anion exchanger that mediates bicarbonate (HCO 3 - ) exchange for chloride (Cl-) and is crucial for maintaining pH and salt homeostasis in the kidney, lung, and cochlea. Pendrin also exports iodide (I - ) in the thyroid gland. Pendrin mutations in humans lead to Pendred syndrome, causing hearing loss and goiter. Inhibition of pendrin is a validated approach for attenuating airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma and for treating hypertension. However, the mechanism of anion exchange and its inhibition by drugs remains poorly understood. We applied cryo-electron microscopy to determine structures of pendrin from Sus scrofa in the presence of either Cl - , I - , HCO 3 - or in the apo-state. The structures reveal two anion-binding sites in each protomer, and functional analyses show both sites are involved in anion exchange. The structures also show interactions between the Sulfate Transporter and Anti-Sigma factor antagonist (STAS) and transmembrane domains, and mutational studies suggest a regulatory role. We also determine the structure of pendrin in a complex with niflumic acid (NFA), which uncovers a mechanism of inhibition by competing with anion binding and impeding the structural changes necessary for anion exchange. These results reveal directions for understanding the mechanisms of anion selectivity and exchange and their regulations by the STAS domain. This work also establishes a foundation for analyzing the pathophysiology of mutations associated with Pendred syndrome.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Topobexin targets the Topoisomerase II ATPase domain for beta isoform-selective inhibition and anthracycline cardioprotection

Abstract Topoisomerase II alpha and beta (TOP2A and TOP2B) isoenzymes perform essential and non-redundant cellular functions. Anthracyclines induce their potent anti-cancer effects primarily via TOP2A, but at the same time they induce a dose limiting cardiotoxicity through TOP2B. Here we describe the development of theobexclass of TOP2 inhibitors that bind to a previously unidentified druggable pocket in the TOP2 ATPase domain to act as allosteric catalytic inhibitors by locking the ATPase domain conformation with the capability of isoform-selective inhibition. Through rational drug design we have developed topobexin, which interacts with residues that differ between TOP2A and TOP2B to provide inhibition that is both selective for TOP2B and superior to dexrazoxane. Topobexin is a potent protectant against chronic anthracycline cardiotoxicity in an animal model. This demonstration of TOP2 isoform-specific inhibition underscores the broader potential to improve drug specificity and minimize adverse effects in various medical treatments.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2019

Broad-spectrum enzymatic inhibition of CRISPR-Cas12a

Cas12a is a bacterial RNA-guided nuclease used widely for genome editing and, more recently, as a molecular diagnostic. In bacteria, Cas12a enzymes can be inhibited by bacteriophage-derived proteins, anti-CRISPRs (Acrs), to thwart clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) adaptive immune systems. How these inhibitors disable Cas12a by preventing programmed DNA cleavage is unknown. We show that three such inhibitors (AcrVA1, AcrVA4 and AcrVA5) block Cas12a activity via functionally distinct mechanisms, including a previously unobserved enzymatic strategy. AcrVA4 and AcrVA5 inhibit recognition of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), with AcrVA4 driving dimerization of Cas12a. In contrast, AcrVA1 is a multiple-turnover inhibitor that triggers cleavage of the target-recognition sequence of the Cas12a-bound guide RNA to irreversibly inactivate the Cas12a complex. Finally, these distinct mechanisms equip bacteriophages with tools to evade CRISPR-Cas12a and support biotechnological applications for which multiple-turnover enzymatic inhibition of Cas12a is desirable.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

The conserved mosaic prophage protein paratox inhibits the natural competence regulator ComR in Streptococcus

Horizontal gene transfer is an important means of bacterial evolution. This includes natural genetic transformation, where bacterial cells become “competent” and DNA is acquired from the extracellular environment. Natural competence in many species of Streptococcus, is regulated by quorum sensing via the ComRS receptor-signal pair. The ComR-XIP (mature ComS peptide) complex induces expression of the alternative sigma factor SigX, which targets RNA polymerase to CIN-box promoters to activate genes involved in DNA uptake and recombination. In addition, the widely distributed Streptococcus prophage gene paratox (prx) also contains a CIN-box, and here we demonstrate it to be transcriptionally activated by XIP. In vitro experiments demonstrate that Prx binds ComR directly and prevents the ComR-XIP complex from interacting with DNA. Mutations of prx in vivo caused increased expression of the late competence gene ssb when induced with XIP as compared to wild-type, and Prx orthologues are able to inhibit ComR activation by XIP in a reporter strain which lacks an endogenous prx. Additionally, an X-ray crystal structure of Prx reveals a unique fold that implies a novel molecular mechanism to inhibit ComR. Overall, our results suggest Prx functions to inhibit the acquisition of new DNA by Streptococcus.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Structure, Function and Inhibition of the Phosphoethanolamine Methyltransferases of the Human Malaria Parasites Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi

Phosphoethanolamine methyltransferases (PMTs) catalyze the three-step methylation of phosphoethanolamine to form phosphocholine, a critical step in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in a select number of eukaryotes including human malaria parasites, nematodes and plants. Genetic studies in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum have shown that the methyltransferase PfPMT plays a critical function in parasite development and differentiation. The presence of PMT orthologs in other malaria parasites that infect humans and their absence in mammals make them ideal targets for the development of selective antimalarials with broad specificity against different Plasmodium species. Here we describe the X-ray structures and biochemical properties of PMT orthologs from Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi and show that both enzymes are inhibited by amodiaquine and NSC158011, two drugs with potent antimalarial activity. Metabolic studies in a yeast mutant that relies on PkPMT or PvPMT for survival demonstrated that these compounds inhibit phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis from ethanolamine. Our structural and functional data provide insights into the mechanism of catalysis and inhibition of PMT enzymes and set the stage for a better design of more specific and selective antimalarial drugs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Sestrin2 inhibits mTORC1 through modulation of GATOR complexes

Sestrins are stress-inducible metabolic regulators that suppress a wide range of age- and obesity-associated pathologies, many of which are due to mTORC1 overactivation. Upon various stresses, the Sestrins inhibit mTORC1 activity through an indirect mechanism that is still unclear. GATORs are recently identified protein complexes that regulate the activity of RagB, a small GTPase essential for mTORC1 activation. GATOR1 is a GTPase activating protein (GAP) for RagB whereas GATOR2 functions as an inhibitor of GATOR1. However, how the GATORs are physiologically regulated is unknown. Here we show that Sestrin2 binds to GATOR2, and liberates GATOR1 from GATOR2-mediated inhibition. Released GATOR1 subsequently binds to and inactivates RagB, ultimately resulting in mTORC1 suppression. Consistent with this biochemical mechanism, genetic ablation of GATOR1 nullifies the mTORC1-inhibiting effect of Sestrin2 in both cell culture and Drosophila models. Collectively, we elucidate a new signaling cascade composed of Sestrin2-GATOR2-GATOR1-RagB that mediates stress-dependent suppression of mTORC1 activity.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Direct Pore Binding as a Mechanism for Isoflurane Inhibition of the Pentameric Ligand-gated Ion Channel ELIC

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are targets of general anesthetics, but molecular mechanisms underlying anesthetic action remain debatable. We found that ELIC, a pLGIC from Erwinia chrysanthemi, can be functionally inhibited by isoflurane and other anesthetics. Structures of ELIC co-crystallized with isoflurane in the absence or presence of an agonist revealed double isoflurane occupancies inside the pore near T237(6') and A244(13'). A pore-radius contraction near the extracellular entrance was observed upon isoflurane binding. Electrophysiology measurements with a single-point mutation at position 6' or 13' support the notion that binding at these sites renders isoflurane inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that isoflurane binding was more stable in the resting than in a desensitized pore conformation. This study presents compelling evidence for a direct pore-binding mechanism of isoflurane inhibition, which has a general implication for inhibitory action of general anesthetics on pLGICs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effects of organosolv and ammonia pretreatments on lignin properties and its inhibition for enzymatic hydrolysis

Lignin offers structural support and protection for plant cell walls; but, it also contributes to biomass recalcitrance and the costs of biofuel production via the biological pathway. Organosolv and ammonia pretreatments have been developed to reduce biomass recalcitrance and improve sugar release performance during enzymatic hydrolysis. It is believed that lignin properties are related to its inhibition on enzymatic hydrolysis; therefore, understanding the characteristics of lignin is a key for effective biomass conversion to biofuels. In this study, an organosolv pretreatment using 60% ethanol with 1.25% H 2 SO 4 significantly deconstructed poplar lignin and reduced its molecular weights due to the cleavage of lignin inter-unit linkages. The organosolv pretreatment increased the contents of phenolic OH units and the lignin residue showed a high cellulase maximum adsorption capacity. Ammonia pretreatment with 5% ammonium hydroxide was not as effective as organosolv pretreatment on lignin deconstruction. Organosolv lignin residue had lower lignin S/G ratio than the untreated one. Furthermore, when compared to the organosolv lignin residue and untreated lignin, ammonia lignin residue had a higher cellulase adsorption affinity. In addition, the effects of lignin on cellulose hydrolysis was investigated and the results suggested that the presence of lignin with cellulose substrates reduced cellulose hydrolysis, and its inhibitory effect was primarily determined by the lignin properties after each pretreatment. The organosolv pretreatment resulted in a slightly lower cellulase binding strength (249.7 mL g -1 ) on poplar lignin than that on untreated samples (261.1 mL g -1 ), while ammonia lignin residue showed a higher cellulase binding strength (402.8 mL g -1 ) and had more significant inhibition effect on cellulose hydrolysis. Our results demonstrated that the binding strength significantly affected the lignin-derived inhibition on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in the cellulose-lignin mixtures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structural basis of HIV inhibition by translocation-defective RT inhibitor 4'-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (EFdA)

4'-Ethynyl-2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (EFdA) is the most potent nucleoside analog inhibitor of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). It retains a 3'-OH yet acts as a chain-terminating agent by diminishing translocation from the pretranslocation nucleotide-binding site (N site) to the posttranslocation primer-binding site (P site). Also, facile misincorporation of EFdA-monophosphate (MP) results in difficult-to-extend mismatched primers. To understand the high potency and unusual inhibition mechanism of EFdA, we solved RT crystal structures (resolutions from 2.4 to 2.9 Å) that include inhibition intermediates ( i ) before inhibitor incorporation (catalytic complex, RT/DNA/EFdA-triphosphate), ( ii ) after incorporation of EFdA-MP followed by dT-MP (RT/DNA EFdA-MP P • dT-MP N ), or ( iii ) after incorporation of two EFdA-MPs (RT/DNA EFdA-MP P • EFdA-MP N ); ( iv ) the latter was also solved with EFdA-MP mismatched at the N site (RT/DNA EFdA-MP P • EFdA-MP *N ). We report that the inhibition mechanism and potency of EFdA stem from interactions of its 4'-ethynyl at a previously unexploited conserved hydrophobic pocket in the polymerase active site. Furthermore, the high resolution of the catalytic complex structure revealed a network of ordered water molecules at the polymerase active site that stabilize enzyme interactions with nucleotide and DNA substrates. Finally, decreased translocation results from favorable interactions of primer-terminating EFdA-MP at the pretranslocation site and unfavorable posttranslocation interactions that lead to observed localized primer distortions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

S -adenosyl methionine is necessary for inhibition of the methyltransferase G9a by the lysine 9 to methionine mutation on histone H3

Lysine to methionine (K-to-M) mutations in genes encoding histone H3 are thought to drive a subset of pediatric brain and bone cancers. These high-frequency K-to-M mutations occur at sites of methylation on histone H3, and tumors containing the mutant histones exhibit a global loss of specific histone methylation marks. Previous studies showed that K-to-M mutant histones, also known as oncohistones, are potent orthosteric inhibitors of specific Su(var)3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste, Trithorax (SET) domain methyltransferases. However, the biochemical and biophysical details of the interaction between K-to-M mutant histones and the respective SET domain methyltransferases are currently unknown. Here, we use the histone H3K9-directed methyltransferase G9a as a model to explore the mechanism of inhibition by K-to-M oncohistones. X-ray cocrystal structures revealed that the K9M residue of histone H3 occupies the active site cavity of G9a, and kinetic analysis indicates competitive inhibition of G9a by histone H3K9M. Additionally, we find that the cofactor S -adenosyl methionine (SAM) is necessary for stable interaction between G9a and H3K9M histone. Consistent with the formation of a ternary complex, we find that the inhibitory peptide is uncompetitive with regard to SAM. Furthermore, these data and others indicate that K-to-M oncohistones promote global loss of specific lysine methylation through sequestration and inhibition of SAM-bound SET domain methyltransferases.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

BET N-terminal bromodomain inhibition selectively blocks Th17 cell differentiation and ameliorates colitis in mice

T-helper 17 (Th17) cells have important functions in adaptor immunity and have also been implicated in inflammatory disorders. The bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family proteins regulate gene transcription during lineage-specific differentiation of naïve CD4 + T cells to produce mature T-helper cells. Inhibition of acetyl-lysine binding of the BET proteins by pan-BET bromodomain (BrD) inhibitors, such as JQ1, broadly affects differentiation of Th17, Th1, and Th2 cells that have distinct immune functions, thus limiting their therapeutic potential. Whether these BET proteins represent viable new epigenetic drug targets for inflammatory disorders has remained an unanswered question. In this study, we report that selective inhibition of the first bromodomain of BET proteins with our newly designed small molecule MS402 inhibits primarily Th17 cell differentiation with a little or almost no effect on Th1 or Th2 and Treg cells. MS402 preferentially renders Brd4 binding to Th17 signature gene loci over those of housekeeping genes and reduces Brd4 recruitment of p-TEFb to phosphorylate and activate RNA polymerase II for transcription elongation. Furthermore, we show that MS402 prevents and ameliorates T-cell transfer-induced colitis in mice by blocking Th17 cell overdevelopment. Thus, selective pharmacological modulation of individual bromodomains likely represents a strategy for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Immune-modulating enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is effectively inhibited by targeting its apo-form

For cancer cells to survive and proliferate, they must escape normal immune destruction. One mechanism by which this is accomplished is through immune suppression effected by up-regulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1), a heme enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of tryptophan to N -formylkynurenine. On deformylation, kynurenine and downstream metabolites suppress T cell function. The importance of this immunosuppressive mechanism has spurred intense interest in the development of clinical IDO1 inhibitors. Herein, we describe the mechanism by which a class of compounds effectively and specifically inhibits IDO1 by targeting its apo-form. We show that the in vitro kinetics of inhibition coincide with an unusually high rate of intrinsic enzyme–heme dissociation, especially in the ferric form. X-ray crystal structures of the inhibitor–enzyme complexes show that heme is displaced from the enzyme and blocked from rebinding by these compounds. The results reveal that apo-IDO1 serves as a unique target for inhibition and that heme lability plays an important role in posttranslational regulation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Targeted inhibition of gut bacterial β-glucuronidase activity enhances anticancer drug efficacy

Irinotecan treats a range of solid tumors, but its effectiveness is severely limited by gastrointestinal (GI) tract toxicity caused by gut bacterial β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes. Targeted bacterial GUS inhibitors have been shown to partially alleviate irinotecan-induced GI tract damage and resultant diarrhea in mice. Here, we unravel the mechanistic basis for GI protection by gut microbial GUS inhibitors using in vivo models. We use in vitro, in fimo, and in vivo models to determine whether GUS inhibition alters the anticancer efficacy of irinotecan. We demonstrate that a single dose of irinotecan increases GI bacterial GUS activity in 1 d and reduces intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in 5 d, both blocked by a single dose of a GUS inhibitor. In a tumor xenograft model, GUS inhibition prevents intestinal toxicity and maintains the antitumor efficacy of irinotecan. Remarkably, GUS inhibitor also effectively blocks the striking irinotecan-induced bloom of Enterobacteriaceae in immune-deficient mice. In a genetically engineered mouse model of cancer, GUS inhibition alleviates gut damage, improves survival, and does not alter gut microbial composition; however, by allowing dose intensification, it dramatically improves irinotecan’s effectiveness, reducing tumors to a fraction of that achieved by irinotecan alone, while simultaneously promoting epithelial regeneration. These results indicate that targeted gut microbial enzyme inhibitors can improve cancer chemotherapeutic outcomes by protecting the gut epithelium from microbial dysbiosis and proliferative crypt damage.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Allosteric inhibition of the IZUMO1–JUNO fertilization complex by the naturally occurring antisperm antibody OBF13

Sperm IZUMO1 binds to egg JUNO, and this interaction is essential for mammalian fertilization. Isolated from a female mouse immunized with syngeneic sperm, the antisperm antibody OBF13 recognizes IZUMO1 and inhibits murine fertilization. How OBF13 interferes with sperm–egg interactions was unknown. Here, we present the X-ray crystal structure of IZUMO1 in complex with OBF13. OBF13 binds to the apex of the four-helix domain of IZUMO1, distant from the JUNO-binding site. Our crystal structure of OBF13-bound IZUMO1 resembles apo-IZUMO1 and differs from the structure of IZUMO1 in complex with JUNO. We identify that OBF13 carries a low level of somatic hypermutation, and through deep mutational scanning, we engineer an affinity-enhanced OBF13 variant. This OBF13 variant single-chain fragment variable decreases the apparent affinity of IZUMO1 for membrane-bound murine JUNO and blocks the binding of acrosome-reacted sperm to eggs, thereby preventing fertilization. We propose allostery between the OBF13 epitope and the JUNO-binding site. OBF13 inhibits a conformational change in IZUMO1, preventing fusion-competent sperm from adhering to murine eggs during fertilization. Surprisingly, murine IZUMO1 binds to hamster JUNO with an affinity ~20-fold higher than to murine JUNO. The decreased affinity caused by OBF13 of murine IZUMO1 for hamster JUNO is sufficient for murine sperm to bind to and fuse with hamster eggs. Our studies provide a structural and mechanistic framework for species-specific, allosteric inhibition of IZUMO1 by a naturally occurring antisperm antibody and offer insights into the development of immunocontraceptives.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2013

Genetic and Pharmacological Inhibition of PDK1 in Cancer Cells: Characterization of a Selective Allosteric Kinase Inhibitor

Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) is a critical activator of multiple prosurvival and oncogenic protein kinases and has garnered considerable interest as an oncology drug target. Despite progress characterizing PDK1 as a therapeutic target, pharmacological support is lacking due to the prevalence of nonspecific inhibitors. Here, we benchmark literature and newly developed inhibitors and conduct parallel genetic and pharmacological queries into PDK1 function in cancer cells. Through kinase selectivity profiling and x-ray crystallographic studies, we identify an exquisitely selective PDK1 inhibitor (compound 7) that uniquely binds to the inactive kinase conformation (DFG-out). In contrast to compounds 1-5, which are classical ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors (DFG-in), compound 7 specifically inhibits cellular PDK1 T-loop phosphorylation (Ser-241), supporting its unique binding mode. Interfering with PDK1 activity has minimal antiproliferative effect on cells growing as plastic-attached monolayer cultures (i.e. standard tissue culture conditions) despite reduced phosphorylation of AKT, RSK, and S6RP. However, selective PDK1 inhibition impairs anchorage-independent growth, invasion, and cancer cell migration. Compound 7 inhibits colony formation in a subset of cancer cell lines (four of 10) and primary xenograft tumor lines (nine of 57). RNAi-mediated knockdown corroborates the PDK1 dependence in cell lines and identifies candidate biomarkers of drug response. In summary, our profiling studies define a uniquely selective and cell-potent PDK1 inhibitor, and the convergence of genetic and pharmacological phenotypes supports a role of PDK1 in tumorigenesis in the context of three-dimensional in vitro culture systems.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗