Discovering protein–protein interaction stabilisers by native mass spectrometry

Jeddidiah Bellamy-Carter, Manjari Mohata, Marta Falcicchio, Jaswir Basran, Yusuke Higuchi, Richard G. Doveston, Aneika C. Leney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

181 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are key therapeutic targets. Most PPI-targeting drugs in the clinic inhibit these important interactions; however, stabilising PPIs is an attractive alternative in cases where a PPI is disrupted in a disease state. The discovery of novel PPI stabilisers has been hindered due to the lack of tools available to monitor PPI stabilisation. Moreover, for PPI stabilisation to be detected, both the stoichiometry of binding and the shift this has on the binding equilibria need to be monitored simultaneously. Here, we show the power of native mass spectrometry (MS) in the rapid search for PPI stabilisers. To demonstrate its capability, we focussed on three PPIs between the eukaryotic regulatory protein 14-3-3σ and its binding partners estrogen receptor ERα, the tumour suppressor p53, and the kinase LRRK2, whose interactions upon the addition of a small molecule, fusicoccin A, are differentially stabilised. Within a single measurement the stoichiometry and binding equilibria between 14-3-3 and each of its binding partners was evident. Upon addition of the fusicoccin A stabiliser, a dramatic shift in binding equilibria was observed with the 14-3-3:ERα complex compared with the 14-3-3:p53 and 14-3-3:LRRK2 complexes. Our results highlight how native MS can not only distinguish the ability of stabilisers to modulate PPIs, but also give important insights into the dynamics of ternary complex formation. Finally, we show how native MS can be used as a screening tool to search for PPI stabilisers, highlighting its potential role as a primary screening technology in the hunt for novel therapeutic PPI stabilisers.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10724-10731
JournalChemical Science
Volume12
Issue number32
Early online date7 Jul 2021
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 7 Jul 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Discovering protein–protein interaction stabilisers by native mass spectrometry'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this