NSC 622124 inhibits human Eg5 and other kinesins via interaction with the conserved microtubule-binding site

Biochemistry. 2009 Mar 3;48(8):1754-62. doi: 10.1021/bi801291q.

Abstract

Kinesin-5 proteins are essential for formation of a bipolar mitotic spindle in most and, perhaps all, eukaryotic cells. Several Kinesin-5 proteins, notably the human version, HsEg5, are targets of a constantly expanding group of small-molecule inhibitors, which hold promise both as tools for probing mechanochemical transduction and as anticancer agents. Although most such compounds are selective for HsEg5 and closely related Kinesin-5 proteins, some, such as NSC 622124, exhibit activity against at least one kinesin from outside the Kinesin-5 family. Here we show NSC 622124, despite identification in a screen that yielded inhibitors now known to target the HsEg5 monastrol-binding site, does not compete with [(14)C]monastrol for binding to HsEg5 and is able to inhibit the basal and microtubule-stimulated ATPase activity of the monastrol-insensitive Kinesin-5, KLP61F. NSC 622124 competes with microtubules, but not ATP, for interaction with HsEg5 and disrupts the microtubule binding of HsEg5, KLP61F, and Kinesin-1. Proteolytic degradation of an HsEg5.NSC622124 complex revealed that segments of the alpha3 and alpha5 helices map to the inhibitor-binding site. Overall, our results demonstrate that NSC 622124 targets the conserved microtubule-binding site of kinesin proteins. Further, unlike compounds previously reported to target the kinesin microtubule-binding site, NSC 622124 does not produce any enhancement of basal ATPase activity and thus acts solely as a negative regulator through interaction with a site traditionally viewed as a binding region for positive regulators (i.e., microtubules). Our work emphasizes the concept that microtubule-dependent motor proteins may be controlled at multiple sites by both positive and negative effectors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Conserved Sequence*
  • Drosophila / drug effects
  • Drosophila Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Kinesins / chemistry
  • Kinesins / metabolism*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubules / drug effects*
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Molybdenum / pharmacology*
  • Movement / drug effects
  • Oxides / pharmacology*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Thiones / pharmacology

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • K6Mo18O62P2
  • KIF11 protein, human
  • Klp61F protein, Drosophila
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Oxides
  • Pyrimidines
  • Thiones
  • monastrol
  • Molybdenum
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • Kinesins