Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access
ISSN: 0974-276X
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 0974-276X
+44 1223 790975
Federica Cossu
Institute of Biophysics at the National Research Council (IBF-CNR), Italy
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Proteomics Bioinform
Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) constitute a family of conserved proteins whose over-expression enhances cell survival and resistance to anticancer agents. IAPs are E3 ligases, ubiquitylating substrates for the regulation of NF-�?�?�?ºB. Furthermore, they sequester caspases to prevent apoptosis. IAPs interactions occur through type I and type II BIR (Baculovirus IAP repeat) domains. Smac-mimetics (SM) mimicking the active N-terminal peptide of Smac-DIABLO, the natural antagonist of IAPs, have been shown to sensitize cancer cells to apoptosis. SM interact with type II BIR domains of IAPs, thus relieving caspases from X-linked IAP (XIAP) inhibitory activity and leading to cellular IAPs (cIAPs) auto-ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation within minutes from exposure. Although SM are currently promising candidates for cancer therapy, some cancer cell lines present SM-resistance due to renewed cIAP2 activity and re-activation of NF-�?�?�?ºB. IAPs-mediated regulation of NF-�?�?�?ºB signaling is based on the formation of different protein-protein complexes, regulating ubiquitin-dependent signal transduction cascades. The type I BIR domain from different IAPs has been recognized as a pivotal platform for the assembly of such complexes. We analysed the surface of type I BIR domains (X- and cIAP-BIR1) to identify the hot-spots for the relevant protein-protein interactions. Virtual docking using libraries of compounds returned hits (NF023 and analogues) and can impair BIR1-based complexes with predicted low micromolar affinities that were experimentally confirmed. For this purpose, in vitro assays include fluorescence-based and biophysical techniques (thermofluor, microscale thermophoresis, SEC, DLS, SLS). Crystallography on the protein-ligand complexes is the core of the structure-driven approach used for the iterative optimization of specific and selective drug candidates. Treatment of cancer cell cultures with the selected compounds will verify their effects on the modulation of IAPs-dependent signaling cascades. This represents a novel strategy to promote apoptosis in cancer and will unravel new insights on the regulation of NF-�?�?�?ºB pathway.
Federica Cossu has always been interested in the field of cancer research, being fascinated by structural studies of crucial macromolecules and protein complexes involved in the cellular processes of cell death/survival. She gathered experience in cloning, expression, purification and crystallization of recombinant proteins, mainly belonging to the field of cancer. From the last few years, she has focused on the structure-based design of small molecules to be developed, as drug candidates directed to pre-clinical studies. The success of this activity is proved by one patent, one award for her PhD thesis and several publications in the field. She progressively improved her knowledge on biophysical techniques for the study of proteins and on the in-silico analysis of protein structures. She has collected experience in European laboratories, including several short visits/experiments at the ESRF synchrotron in Grenoble and at Soleil in Paris. She has been working in lab for ten years, covering various positions within the research group, from Master’s degree student to Post-Doctorate. She has been the supervisor of students, also giving lessons on the structural approaches applied to cancer therapy.