TY  - JOUR
A1  - Nishida Xavier da Silva, Thamara
A1  - Schulte, Clemens
A1  - Nunes Alves, Ariane
A1  - Maric, Hans Michael
A1  - Friedmann Angeli, José Pedro
T1  - Molecular characterization of AIFM2/FSP1 inhibition by iFSP1-like molecules
JF  - Cell Death & Disease
N2  - Ferroptosis is a form of cell death characterized by phospholipid peroxidation, where numerous studies have suggested that the induction of ferroptosis is a therapeutic strategy to target therapy refractory cancer entities. Ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), an NAD(P)H-ubiquinone reductase, is a key determinant of ferroptosis vulnerability, and its pharmacological inhibition was shown to strongly sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis. A first generation of FSP1 inhibitors, exemplified by the small molecule iFSP1, has been reported; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying inhibition have not been characterized in detail. In this study, we explore the species-specific inhibition of iFSP1 on the human isoform to gain insights into its mechanism of action. Using a combination of cellular, biochemical, and computational methods, we establish a critical contribution of a species-specific aromatic architecture that is essential for target engagement. The results described here provide valuable insights for the rational development of second-generation FSP1 inhibitors combined with a tracer for screening the druggable pocket. In addition, we pose a cautionary notice for using iFSP1 in animal models, specifically murine models.
KW  - cell biology
KW  - chemical libraries
Y1  - 2023
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357943
VL  - 14
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Lorenzin, Francesca
A1  - Benary, Uwe
A1  - Baluapuri, Apoorva
A1  - Walz, Susanne
A1  - Jung, Lisa Anna
A1  - von Eyss, Björn
A1  - Kisker, Caroline
A1  - Wolf, Jana
A1  - Eilers, Martin
A1  - Wolf, Elmar
T1  - Different promoter affinities account for specificity in MYC-dependent gene regulation
JF  - eLife
N2  - Enhanced expression of the MYC transcription factor is observed in the majority of tumors. Two seemingly conflicting models have been proposed for its function: one proposes that MYC enhances expression of all genes, while the other model suggests gene-specific regulation. Here, we have explored the hypothesis that specific gene expression profiles arise since promoters differ in affinity for MYC and high-affinity promoters are fully occupied by physiological levels of MYC. We determined cellular MYC levels and used RNA- and ChIP-sequencing to correlate promoter occupancy with gene expression at different concentrations of MYC. Mathematical modeling showed that binding affinities for interactions of MYC with DNA and with core promoter-bound factors, such as WDR5, are sufficient to explain promoter occupancies observed in vivo. Importantly, promoter affinity stratifies different biological processes that are regulated by MYC, explaining why tumor-specific MYC levels induce specific gene expression programs and alter defined biological properties of cells.
KW  - MYC
KW  - promoter affinity
KW  - human
KW  - mathematical modeling
KW  - mouse
KW  - ChIP-sequencing
KW  - MIZ1
KW  - cancer biology
KW  - cell biology
KW  - WDR5
Y1  - 2016
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-162913
VL  - 5
ER  -