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Discovery of novel Mnk inhibitors using mutation‐based induced‐fit virtual high‐throughput screening
Author(s) -
Mishra Rama K.,
Clutter Matthew R.,
Blyth Gavin T.,
Kosciuczuk Ewa M.,
Blackburn Amy Z.,
Beauchamp Elspeth M.,
Schiltz Gary E.,
Platanias Leonidas C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemical biology and drug design
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1747-0285
pISSN - 1747-0277
DOI - 10.1111/cbdd.13585
Subject(s) - kinase , in silico , virtual screening , myeloid leukemia , computational biology , docking (animal) , biology , drug discovery , effector , phosphorylation , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene , medicine , nursing
Mnk kinases (Mnk1 and 2) are downstream effectors of Map kinase pathways and regulate phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E. Engagement of the Mnk pathway is critical in acute myeloid leukemia ( AML ) leukemogenesis and Mnk inhibitors have potent antileukemic properties in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that targeting Mnk kinases may provide a novel approach for treating AML . Here, we report the development and application of a mutation‐based induced‐fit in silico screen to identify novel Mnk inhibitors. The Mnk1 structure was modeled by temporarily mutating an amino acid that obstructs the ATP ‐binding site in the Mnk1 crystal structure while carrying out docking simulations of known inhibitors. The hit compounds display activity in Mnk biochemical and cellular assays, including acute myeloid leukemia progenitors. This approach will enable further rational structure‐based drug design of new Mnk inhibitors and potentially novel ways of therapeutically targeting this kinase.