Molecular glues that inhibit deubiquitylase activity and inflammatory signalling.

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All Authors

Chandler, F.
Reddy, PAN.
Bhutda, S.
Ross, RL.
Datta, A.
Walden, M.
Walker, K.
Di Donato, S.
Cassel, JA.
Prakesch, MA.

LTHT Author

Ross, Rebecca
Di Donato, Stefano
Del Galdo, Francesco

LTHT Department

NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre
Rheumatology

Non Medic

Publication Date

2024

Item Type

Journal Article
Preprint

Language

Subject

Subject Headings

Abstract

Deubiquitylases (DUBs) are crucial in cell signalling and are often regulated by interactions within protein complexes. The BRCC36 isopeptidase complex (BRISC) regulates inflammatory signalling by cleaving K63-linked polyubiquitin chains on Type I interferon receptors (IFNAR1). As a Zn2+-dependent JAMM/MPN DUB, BRCC36 is challenging to target with selective inhibitors. We discovered first-in-class inhibitors, termed BRISC molecular glues (BLUEs), which stabilise a 16-subunit BRISC dimer in an autoinhibited conformation, blocking active sites and interactions with the targeting subunit SHMT2. This unique mode of action results in selective inhibition of BRISC over related complexes with the same catalytic subunit, splice variants and other JAMM/MPN DUBs. BLUE treatment reduced interferon-stimulated gene expression in cells containing wild type BRISC, and this effect was absent when using structure-guided, inhibitor-resistant BRISC mutants. Additionally, BLUEs increase IFNAR1 ubiquitylation and decrease IFNAR1 surface levels, offering a potential new strategy to mitigate Type I interferon-mediated diseases. Our approach also provides a template for designing selective inhibitors of large protein complexes by promoting, rather than blocking, protein-protein interactions.

Journal

BioRxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology