Structure-Based Design of Molecules to Reactivate Tumor-Derived p53 Mutations

Abstract

Of the genetic alterations associated with breast cancer, changes in p53 are the most frequently identified and a subset of these changes destabilizes the p53 core domain structure. The overall goal of our studies is to identify small molecule compounds that bind and stabilize this subset of tumor-derived p53 mutants. We anticipate that the identification of such compounds will serve as a scaffold for the preparation of small molecule drugs for the treatment of p53-mediated breast cancer. Towards this goal, we have employed a Multiple Solvent Crystal Structures (MSCS) technique to identify a p53 binding sites for the small molecule compound tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) and have used both solution studies and molecular dynamics simulations to show that Tris binding increases the stability of the p53 core domain. We have also carried out virtual screening (in silico) to identify Tris analogues that are predicted to have improved p53 core domain binding and stability properties. In the coming year, we will continue the virtual screening studies and test our virtual screening hits in solution for improved p53 core domain binding and stability. We will also cocrytallize the p53 core domain with the Tris analogues that show the most favorable properties for second generation structure-based optimization of these compounds.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA456933

Entities

People

  • Ronen Marmorstein

Organizations

  • University of Pennsylvania

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analogs
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Breast Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Crystal Structure
  • Crystals
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Dynamics
  • Identification
  • Molecular Dynamics
  • Molecular Mechanics Methods
  • Molecules
  • Mutations
  • Neoplasms
  • Picosecond Time
  • Simulations
  • Small Molecules

Readers

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Quantum Chemistry

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology