Woong Sub Byun

All Publications

• Evo312: An Evodiamine Analog and Novel PKCβI Inhibitor with Potent Antitumor Activity in Gemcitabine-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY Bae, E., Hong, J., Lim, Y., Byun, W., Chun, S., Hong, S., Lee, S. 2024

  Abstract

  As an obstinate cancer pancreatic cancer (PC) poses a major challenge due to limited treatment options which include resection surgery, radiation therapy, and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. In cancer cells, protein kinase C βI (PKCβI) participates in diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptotic pathways. In the present study, we created a scaffold to develop PKCβI inhibitors using evodiamine-based synthetic molecules. Among the candidate inhibitors, Evo312 exhibited the highest antiproliferative efficacy against PC cells, PANC-1, and acquired gemcitabine-resistant PC cells, PANC-GR. Additionally, Evo312 robustly inhibited PKCβI activity. Mechanistically, Evo312 effectively suppressed the upregulation of PKCβI protein expression, leading to the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PANC-GR cells. Furthermore, Evo312 exerted an antitumor activity in a PANC-GR cell-implanted xenograft mouse model. These findings position Evo312 as a promising lead compound for overcoming gemcitabine resistance in PC through novel mechanisms.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00213

  View details for Web of Science ID 001293309500001

  View details for PubMedID 39151060

• Template-assisted covalent modification underlies activity of covalent molecular glues. Nature chemical biology Li, Y. D., Ma, M. W., Hassan, M. M., Hunkeler, M., Teng, M., Puvar, K., Rutter, J. C., Lumpkin, R. J., Sandoval, B., Jin, C. Y., Schmoker, A. M., Ficarro, S. B., Cheong, H., Metivier, R. J., Wang, M. Y., Xu, S., Byun, W. S., Groendyke, B. J., You, I., Sigua, L. H., Tavares, I., Zou, C., Tsai, J. M., Park, P. M., Yoon, H., Majewski, F. C., Sperling, H. T., Marto, J. A., Qi, J., Nowak, R. P., Donovan, K. A., Słabicki, M., Gray, N. S., Fischer, E. S., Ebert, B. L. 2024

  Abstract

  Molecular glues are proximity-inducing small molecules that have emerged as an attractive therapeutic approach. However, developing molecular glues remains challenging, requiring innovative mechanistic strategies to stabilize neoprotein interfaces and expedite discovery. Here we unveil a trans-labeling covalent molecular glue mechanism, termed 'template-assisted covalent modification'. We identified a new series of BRD4 molecular glue degraders that recruit CUL4DCAF16 ligase to the second bromodomain of BRD4 (BRD4BD2). Through comprehensive biochemical, structural and mutagenesis analyses, we elucidated how pre-existing structural complementarity between DCAF16 and BRD4BD2 serves as a template to optimally orient the degrader for covalent modification of DCAF16Cys58. This process stabilizes the formation of BRD4-degrader-DCAF16 ternary complex and facilitates BRD4 degradation. Supporting generalizability, we found that a subset of degraders also induces GAK-BRD4BD2 interaction through trans-labeling of GAK. Together, our work establishes 'template-assisted covalent modification' as a mechanism for covalent molecular glues, which opens a new path to proximity-driven pharmacology.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41589-024-01668-4

  View details for PubMedID 39075252

  View details for PubMedCentralID 4653765

• Discovery of bivalent small molecule degraders of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7). European journal of medicinal chemistry Ji, W., Du, G., Jiang, J., Lu, W., Mills, C. E., Yuan, L., Jiang, F., He, Z., Bradshaw, G. A., Chung, M., Jiang, Z., Byun, W. S., Hinshaw, S. M., Zhang, T., Gray, N. S. 2024; 276: 116613

  Abstract

  Cyclin-dependent kinase 7, along with cyclin H and MAT1, forms the CDK-activating complex (CAK), which directs cell cycle progression via T-loop phosphorylation of cell cycle CDKs. Pharmacological inhibition of CDK7 leads to selective anti-cancer effects in cellular and in vivo models, motivating several ongoing clinical investigations of this target. Current CDK7 inhibitors are either reversible or covalent inhibitors of its catalytic activity. We hypothesized that small molecule targeted protein degradation (TPD) might result in differentiated pharmacology due to the loss of scaffolding functions. Here, we report the design and characterization of a potent CDK7 degrader that is comprised of an ATP-competitive CDK7 binder linked to a CRL2VHL recruiter. JWZ-5-13 effectively degrades CDK7 in multiple cancer cells and leads to a potent inhibition of cell proliferation. Additionally, compound JWZ-5-13 displayed bioavailability in a pharmacokinetic study conducted in mice. Therefore, JWZ-5-13 is a useful chemical probe to investigate the pharmacological consequences of CDK7 degradation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116613

  View details for PubMedID 39004018

• Exploration of the Tunability of BRD4 Degradation by DCAF16 Trans-labelling Covalent Glues. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Hassan, M. M., Li, Y. D., Ma, M. W., Teng, M., Byun, W. S., Puvar, K., Lumpkin, R., Sandoval, B., Rutter, J. C., Jin, C. Y., Wang, M. Y., Xu, S., Schmoker, A. M., Cheong, H., Groendyke, B. J., Qi, J., Fischer, E. S., Ebert, B. L., Gray, N. S. 2023

  Abstract

  Small molecules that can induce protein degradation by inducing proximity between a desired target and an E3 ligase have the potential to greatly expand the number of proteins that can be manipulated pharmacologically. Current strategies for targeted protein degradation are mostly limited in their target scope to proteins with preexisting ligands. Alternate modalities such as molecular glues, as exemplified by the glutarimide class of ligands for the CUL4CRBN ligase, have been mostly discovered serendipitously. We recently reported a trans-labelling covalent glue mechanism which we named 'Template-assisted covalent modification', where an electrophile decorated small molecule binder of BRD4 was effectively delivered to a cysteine residue on an E3 ligase DCAF16 as a consequence of a BRD4-DCAF16 protein-protein interaction. Herein, we report our medicinal chemistry efforts to evaluate how various electrophilic modifications to the BRD4 binder, JQ1, affect DCAF16 trans-labeling and subsequent BRD4 degradation efficiency. We discovered a decent correlation between the ability of the electrophilic small molecule to induce ternary complex formation between BRD4 and DCAF16 with its ability to induce BRD4 degradation. Moreover, we show that a more solvent-exposed warhead presentation is optimal for DCAF16 recruitment and subsequent BRD4 degradation. Unlike the sensitivity of CUL4CRBN glue degraders to chemical modifications, the diversity of covalent attachments in this class of BRD4 glue degraders suggests a high tolerance and tunability for the BRD4-DCAF16 interaction. This offers a potential new avenue for a rational design of covalent glue degraders by introducing covalent warheads to known binders.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2023.10.07.561308

  View details for PubMedID 37873358

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10592706

• Chemical Specification of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Engagement by Cysteine-Reactive Chemistry. Journal of the American Chemical Society Sarott, R. C., You, I., Li, Y. D., Toenjes, S. T., Donovan, K. A., Seo, P., Ordonez, M., Byun, W. S., Hassan, M. M., Wachter, F., Chouchani, E. T., Słabicki, M., Fischer, E. S., Ebert, B. L., Hinshaw, S. M., Gray, N. S. 2023

  Abstract

  Targeted protein degradation relies on small molecules that induce new protein-protein interactions between targets and the cellular protein degradation machinery. Most of these small molecules feature specific ligands for ubiquitin ligases. Recently, the attachment of cysteine-reactive chemical groups to pre-existing small molecule inhibitors has been shown to drive specific target degradation. We demonstrate here that different cysteine-reactive groups can specify target degradation via distinct ubiquitin ligases. By focusing on the bromodomain ligand JQ1, we identify cysteine-reactive functional groups that drive BRD4 degradation by either DCAF16 or DCAF11. Unlike proteolysis-targeting chimeric molecules (PROTACs), the new compounds use a single small molecule ligand with a well-positioned cysteine-reactive group to induce protein degradation. The finding that nearly identical compounds can engage multiple ubiquitination pathways suggests that targeting cellular pathways that search for and eliminate chemically reactive proteins is a feasible avenue for converting existing small molecule drugs into protein degrader molecules.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/jacs.3c06622

  View details for PubMedID 37767920

• Proteomics-Based Discovery of First-in-Class Chemical Probes for Programmed Cell Death Protein 2 (PDCD2). Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) Ji, W., Byun, W. S., Lu, W., Zhu, X., Donovan, K. A., Dwyer, B., Che, J., Yuan, L., Abulaiti, X., Corsello, S. M., Fischer, E. S., Zhang, T., Gray, N. S. 2023: e202308292

  Abstract

  Chemical probes are essential tools for understanding biological systems and for credentialing potential biomedical targets. Programmed cell death 2 (PDCD2) is a member of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins, which are critical regulators of apoptosis. Here we report the discovery and characterization of 10e, a first-in-class small molecule degrader of PDCD2. We discovered PDCD2 degrader by serendipity using a chemical proteomics approach in contrast to the conventional approach for making bivalent degraders starting from a known binding ligand targeting the protein of interest. Using 10e as a pharmacological probe, we demonstrate that PDCD2 functions as a critical regulator of cell growth by modulating the progression of the cell cycle in T lymphoblasts. Our work provides a useful pharmacological probe for investigating PDCD2 function and highlights using chemical proteomics to discover selective small molecule degraders of unanticipated targets.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/anie.202308292

  View details for PubMedID 37658265

• Structure-Activity Relationship of Truncated 2,8-Disubstituted-Adenosine Derivatives as Dual A2A/A3 Adenosine Receptor Antagonists and Their Cancer Immunotherapeutic Activity. Journal of medicinal chemistry Kim, G., Hou, X., Byun, W. S., Kim, G., Jarhad, D. B., Lee, G., Hyun, Y. E., Yu, J., Lee, C. S., Qu, S., Warnick, E., Gao, Z. G., Kim, J. Y., Ji, S., Shin, H., Choi, J. R., Jacobson, K. A., Lee, H. W., Lee, S. K., Jeong, L. S. 2023

  Abstract

  Based on hA2AAR structures, a hydrophobic C8-heteroaromatic ring in 5'-truncated adenosine analogues occupies the subpocket tightly, converting hA2AAR agonists into antagonists while maintaining affinity toward hA3AR. The final compounds of 2,8-disubstituted-N6-substituted 4'-thionucleosides, or 4'-oxo, were synthesized from d-mannose and d-erythrono-1,4-lactone, respectively, using a Pd-catalyst-controlled regioselective cross-coupling reaction. All tested compounds completely antagonized hA2AAR, including 5d with the highest affinity (Ki,A2A = 7.7 ± 0.5 nM). The hA2AAR-5d X-ray structure revealed that C8-heteroaromatic rings prevented receptor activation-associated conformational changes. However, the C8-substituted compounds still antagonized hA3AR. Structural SAR features and docking studies supported different binding modes at A2AAR and A3AR, elucidating pharmacophores for receptor activation and selectivity. Favorable pharmacokinetics were demonstrated, in which 5d displayed high oral absorption, moderate half-life, and bioavailability. Also, 5d significantly improved the antitumor effect of anti-PD-L1 in vivo. Overall, this study suggests that the novel dual A2AAR/A3AR nucleoside antagonists would be promising drug candidates for immune-oncology.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00806

  View details for PubMedID 37603705

• Periplocin exerts antitumor activity by regulating Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie Bae, E. S., Byun, W. S., Ock, C. W., Kim, W. K., Park, H. J., Lee, S. K. 2022; 157: 114039

  Abstract

  Although gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is common and effective for pancreatic cancer (PC), acquired drug resistance is one of the major reasons for treatment failure. Therefore, a novel therapeutic approach for gemcitabine-resistant PC is required. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor regulating antioxidant responses and plays a crucial role in chemoresistance. In the present study, the antitumor activity of periplocin, a natural cardiac glycoside, was evaluated in an established gemcitabine-resistant PC cell line (PANC-GR). Nrf2 was overexpressed in gemcitabine-resistant cells, and Nrf2 knockdown recovered gemcitabine sensitivity in PANC-GR cells. The antiproliferative activity of periplocin was highly associated with Nrf2 downregulation and Nrf2-mediated signaling pathways in PANC-GR cells. Periplocin also increased reactive oxygen species production inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PANC-GR cells. Periplocin and gemcitabine combined significantly inhibited tumor growth in a PANC-GR cells-implanted xenograft mouse model via Nrf2 downregulation. Overall, these findings suggest that periplocin might be a novel therapeutic agent against gemcitabine resistance, as it could recover sensitivity to gemcitabine by regulating Nrf2-mediated signaling pathways in gemcitabine-resistant PC cells.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114039

  View details for PubMedID 36423542

• Targeted Discovery of an Enediyne-Derived Cycloaromatized Compound, Jejucarboside A, from a Marine Actinomycete ORGANIC LETTERS Im, J., Shin, D., Ban, Y., Byun, W., Bae, E., Lee, D., Du, Y., Cui, J., Korea, Y., Nam, S., Cha, S., Lee, S., Yoon, Y., Oh, D. 2022: 7188-7193

  Abstract

  A genomic and spectroscopic signature-based search revealed a cycloaromatized enediyne, jejucarboside A (1), from a marine actinomycete strain. The structure of 1 was determined as a new cyclopenta[a]indene glycoside bearing carbonate functionality by nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS), MS/MS, infrared spectroscopy, and a modified Mosher's method. An iterative enediyne synthase pathway has been proposed for the putative biosynthesis of 1 by genomic analysis. Jejucarboside A exhibited cytotoxicity against the HCT116 colon carcinoma cells.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c02934

  View details for Web of Science ID 000862944100001

  View details for PubMedID 36165456

• Antitumor Activity of Rutaecarpine in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells by Suppression of Wnt/?-Catenin Signaling JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS Byun, W., Bae, E., Kim, W., Lee, S. 2022; 85 (5): 1407-1418

  Abstract

  Alkaloids derived from natural products have been traditionally used to treat various diseases, including cancers. Rutaecarpine (1), a β-carboline-type alkaloid obtained from Evodia rutaecarpa, has been previously reported as an anti-inflammatory agent. Nonetheless, its anticancer activity and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. In the procurement of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors from natural alkaloids, 1 was found to exhibit activity against the Wnt/β-catenin-response reporter gene. Since the abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is highly involved in colon carcinogenesis, the antitumor activity and molecular mechanisms of 1 were investigated in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The antiproliferative activity of 1 was associated with the suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin-mediated signaling pathway and its target gene expression in human CRC cells. 1 also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death, and the antimigration and anti-invasion potential of 1 was confirmed through epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarker inhibition by the regulation of Wnt signaling. The antitumor activity of 1 was supported in an Ls174T-implanted xenograft mouse model via Wnt target gene regulation. Overall, these findings suggest that targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by 1 is a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of human CRC harboring β-catenin mutation.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00224

  View details for Web of Science ID 000806554600023

  View details for PubMedID 35544614

• Discovery of a Novel Template, 7-Substituted 7-Deaza-4 '-Thioadenosine Derivatives as Multi-Kinase Inhibitors PHARMACEUTICALS Mashelkar, K. K., Byun, W., Ko, H., Sung, K., Tripathi, S. K., An, S., Yum, Y. A., Kwon, J., Kim, M., Kim, G., Kwon, E., Lee, H., Noh, M., Lee, S., Jeong, L. 2021; 14 (12)

  Abstract

  The development of anticancer drugs remains challenging owing to the potential for drug resistance. The simultaneous inhibition of multiple targets involved in cancer could overcome resistance, and these agents would exhibit higher potency than single-target inhibitors. Protein kinases represent a promising target for the development of anticancer agents. As most multi-kinase inhibitors are heterocycles occupying only the hinge and hydrophobic region in the ATP binding site, we aimed to design multi-kinase inhibitors that would occupy the ribose pocket, along with the hinge and hydrophobic region, based on ATP-kinase interactions. Herein, we report the discovery of a novel 4'-thionucleoside template as a multi-kinase inhibitor with potent anticancer activity. The in vitro evaluation revealed a lead 1g (7-acetylene-7-deaza-4'-thioadenosine) with potent anticancer activity, and marked inhibition of TRKA, CK1δ, and DYRK1A/1B kinases in the kinome scan assay. We believe that these findings will pave the way for developing anticancer drugs.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/ph14121290

  View details for Web of Science ID 000736876500001

  View details for PubMedID 34959689

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8708872