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Targefrin: A Potent Agent Targeting the Ligand Binding Domain of EphA2.

ABSTRACT: Overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 is invariably associated with poor prognosis and development of aggressive metastatic cancers. Guided by our recently solved X-ray structure of the complex between an agonistic peptide and EphA2-LBD, we report on a novel agent, targefrin, that binds to EphA2-LBD with a 21 nM dissociation constant by isothermal titration calorimetry and presents an IC₅₀ value of 10.8 nM in a biochemical assay. In cell-based assays, a dimeric version of the agent is as effective as the natural dimeric ligands (ephrinA1-Fc) in inducing cellular receptor internalization and degradation in several pancreatic cancer cell lines. When conjugated with chemotherapy, the agents can effectively deliver paclitaxel to pancreatic cancers in a mouse xenograft study. Given the pivotal role of EphA2 in tumor progression, we are confident that the agents reported could be further developed into innovative EphA2-targeting therapeutics.

SUBMITTER: Baggio C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9706575 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Targefrin: A Potent Agent Targeting the Ligand Binding Domain of EphA2.

Baggio Carlo C Udompholkul Parima P Gambini Luca L Pellecchia Maurizio M

Journal of medicinal chemistry 20221104 22

Overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 is invariably associated with poor prognosis and development of aggressive metastatic cancers. Guided by our recently solved X-ray structure of the complex between an agonistic peptide and EphA2-LBD, we report on a novel agent, targefrin, that binds to EphA2-LBD with a 21 nM dissociation constant by isothermal titration calorimetry and presents an IC<sub>50</sub> value of 10.8 nM in a biochemical assay. In cell-based assays, a dimeric version ...[more]

PMID: 36331527

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