A molecular switch to better understand signaling

A molecular switch to better understand signaling
With a brand-new approach, researchers can turn on kinases, such as Src above, to learn more about how they work. Credit: American Chemical Society

In the alphabets of our genomes, a single typo can mean the difference between health and disease. The "words" are molecules, like enzymes, and one group of these called kinases are particularly important. However, it's difficult to pick apart the exact roles of misspellings in various kinases in a disease process. This week in ACS Central Science, researchers report development of a new way to determine this, both in a lab dish and in mice.

Traditionally, biologists study an enzyme's function by turning it off, usually with a drug. But because kinases have so many similarities, that's difficult to do in a specific way. An alternative is to turn one on to see what it does, but this has required complicated methods.

So Peng Chen and engineered a genetically encoded chemical "block" that can be removed from the kinase with a paired chemical reaction.

After turning the on, Chen and colleagues can investigate the activity of any kinase, including one called, Src, which, when mutated, causes cancer. In addition, it works not only in cells but in whole animals where existing "turn on" tools often fail.

More information: Gong Zhang et al. Bioorthogonal Chemical Activation of Kinases in Living Systems, ACS Central Science (2016). DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.6b00024

Abstract
Selective manipulation of protein kinases under living conditions is highly desirable yet extremely challenging, particularly in a gain-of-function fashion. Here we employ our recently developed bioorthogonal cleavage reaction as a general strategy for intracellular activation of individual kinases. Site-specific incorporation of trans-cyclooctene-caged lysine in place of the conserved catalytic lysine, in conjunction with the cleavage partner dimethyl-tetrazine, allowed efficient lysine decaging with the kinase activity chemically rescued in living systems.

Journal information: ACS Central Science

Provided by American Chemical Society

Citation: A molecular switch to better understand signaling (2016, April 27) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2016-04-molecular.html
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