Small molecule deoxynyboquinone triggers alkylation and ubiquitination of Keap1 at Cys489 on Kelch domain for Nrf2 activation and inflammatory therapy
10.1016/j.jpha.2023.07.009
- Author:
Linghu KE-GANG
1
,
2
;
Zhang TIAN
;
Zhang GUANG-TAO
;
Lv PENG
;
Zhang WEN-JUN
;
Zhao GUAN-DING
;
Xiong SHI-HANG
;
Ma QIU-SHUO
;
Zhao MING-MING
;
Chen MEIWAN
;
Hu YUAN-JIA
;
Zhang CHANG-SHENG
;
Yu HUA
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine,Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences,University of Macau,Macao SAR,China
2. State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants & School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,Guizhou Medical University,Guiyang,550025,China
- Keywords:
Deoxynyboquinone;
Anti-inflammation;
Target;
Keap1/Nrf2;
Alkylation;
Ubiquitination
- From:
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis
2024;14(3):401-415
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)alkylation plays a central role in anti-inflammatory therapy.However,activators of Nrf2 through alkylation of Keap1-Kelch domain have not been identified.Deoxynyboquinone(DNQ)is a natural small molecule discovered from marine actinomycetes.The current study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of DNQ via alkylation of Keap1.DNQ exhibited signif-icant anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo.The pharmacophore responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of DNQ was determined to be the α,β-unsaturated amides moieties by a chemical reaction between DNQ and N-acetylcysteine.DNQ exerted anti-inflammatory effects through activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.Keap1 was demonstrated to be the direct target of DNQ and bound with DNQ through conjugate addition reaction involving alkylation.The specific alkylation site of DNQ on Keap1 for Nrf2 activation was elucidated with a synthesized probe in conjunction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.DNQ triggered the ubiquitination and subsequent degra-dation of Keap1 by alkylation of the cysteine residue 489(Cys489)on Keap1-Kelch domain,ultimately enabling the activation of Nrf2.Our findings revealed that DNQ exhibited potent anti-inflammatory capacity through α,β-unsaturated amides moieties active group which specifically activated Nrf2 signal pathway via alkylation/ubiquitination of Keap1-Kelch domain,suggesting the potential values of targeting Cys489 on Keap1-Kelch domain by DNQ-like small molecules in inflammatory therapies.
