title: Small-molecule activation of the TRAIL receptor DR5 in human cancer cells.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) activates apoptosis through the death receptors DR4 and DR5. Because of its superior safety profile and high tumor specificity compared to other TNF family members, recombinant soluble TRAIL and agonistic antibodies against its receptors are actively being developed for clinical cancer therapy. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of the small molecules that directly target DR5 to initiate apoptosis in human cancer cells. The activity was initially discovered through a high-throughput chemical screen for compounds that promote cell death in synergy with a small-molecule mimetic of Smac, the antagonist for inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Structure-activity relationship studies yielded a more potent analog called bioymifi, which can act as a single agent to induce DR5 clustering and aggregation, leading to apoptosis. Thus, this study identified potential lead compounds for the development of small-molecule TRAIL mimics targeting DR5 for cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. gelin.wang@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Gelin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Shuguang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Noelle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Randal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Halfmann
authors.forename: Jacinth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.forename: Lai
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: She
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harran
authors.forename: Xiaoguang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D053181:Caspase 8 / Q000378:metabolism; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010797:Phthalimides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011485:Protein Binding; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D053778:Thiazolidines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C578981:5-(5-((3-(4-bromophenyl)-2-imino-4-oxothiazolidin-5-ylidene)methyl)furan-2-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione; D010797:Phthalimides; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D053778:Thiazolidines; D053148:Caspase 3; D053181:Caspase 8; D020169:Caspases