The molecular basis for selective inhibition of unconventional mRNA splicing by an IRE1-binding small molecule.
IRE1 couples endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein load to RNA cleavage events that culminate in the sequence-specific splicing of the Xbp1 mRNA and in the regulated degradation of diverse membrane-bound mRNAs. We report on the identification of a small molecule inhibitor that attains its selectivity by forming an unusually stable Schiff base with lysine 907 in the IRE1 endonuclease domain, explained by solvent inaccessibility of the imine bond in the enzyme-inhibitor complex. The inhibitor (abbreviated 4μ8C) blocks substrate access to the active site of IRE1 and selectively inactivates both Xbp1 splicing and IRE1-mediated mRNA degradation. Surprisingly, inhibition of IRE1 endonuclease activity does not sensitize cells to the consequences of acute endoplasmic reticulum stress, but rather interferes with the expansion of secretory capacity. Thus, the chemical reactivity and sterics of a unique residue in the endonuclease active site of IRE1 can be exploited by selective inhibitors to interfere with protein secretion in pathological settings.
University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
Benedict C S
BC
Cross
Peter J
PJ
Bond
Pawel G
PG
Sadowski
Babal Kant
BK
Jha
Jaroslav
J
Zak
Jonathan M
JM
Goodman
Robert H
RH
Silverman
Thomas A
TA
Neubert
Ian R
IR
Baxendale
David
D
Ron
Heather P
HP
Harding
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D003374:Coumarins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008239:Lysine / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D059748:Proteolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D012326:RNA Splicing / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000071701:Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012545:Schiff Bases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D055571:Secretory Pathway / Q000187:drug effects; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D000071717:X-Box Binding Protein 1
D003374:Coumarins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000071701:Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors; D012545:Schiff Bases; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000071717:X-Box Binding Protein 1; C000605543:XBP1 protein, human; C000605544:Xbp1 protein, mouse; C403982:ERN2 protein, human; C486556:Ern2 protein, mouse; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D004722:Endoribonucleases; D012260:Ribonucleases; D008239:Lysine