Name: Author Spotlight: Streamlining Protein Target Prediction and Validation via Molecular Docking and CETSA
Uploaded: 2024-02-23T15:00:00
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This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (82004031) and Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2022NSFSC1303). We express our great appreciation to Jiayi Sun at Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, for the assistance with western blot.

1. Downloading the structures of xanthatin and Keap1
<ol>
	<li>Open the PubChem database (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), input xanthatin (small molecule), then press&#160;Search and click on The First Result. Click on Download and click Save under 2D structure to save the compound in .sdf format.</li>
	<li>Download the crystal structure of the protein.
	<ol>
		<li>Open the UniProt database (https://www.uniprot.org/), input Keap1 a...

Validating Xanthatin-Keap1 Interaction with Docking and CETSA

<ol>
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A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+advances+in+CETSA.">Current advances in CETSA.</a> Front Mol Biosci. 9, 866764 (2022).</li><li>Liu, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Xanthatin+inhibits+STAT3+and+NF-&#954;B+signalling+by+covalently+binding+to+JAK+and+IKK+kinases.">Xanthatin inhibits STAT3 and NF-&#954;B signalling by covalently binding to JAK and IKK kinases.</a> J Cell Mol Med. 23 (6), 4301-4312 (2019).</li><li>Liu, Y., Chen, W., Zheng, F., Yu, H., Wei, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Xanthatin+alleviates+LPS-Induced+inflammatory+response+in+RAW264.7+macrophages+by+Inhibiting+NF-&#954;B,+MAPK+and+STATs+activation.">Xanthatin alleviates LPS-Induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages by Inhibiting NF-&#954;B, MAPK and STATs activation.</a> Molecules. 27 (14), 4603 (2022).</li><li>Dinkova-Kostova, A. 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The identification of disease targets and the discovery and development of drugs are closely interconnected27. By precisely targeting specific targets, drug candidates can be developed to treat particular diseases more effectively while concurrently minimizing the side effects associated with the drugs28,29. The most commonly used targets are protein targets30. However, the identification of special protein targets ...

Proteins are highly important macromolecules in living organisms and possess a diverse range of unique functions within cells, such as membrane composition, cytoskeleton formation, enzyme activity, transportation, cell signaling, and involvement in both intracellular and extracellular mechanisms1,2,3. Proteins manifest their biological functions primarily through specific interactions with a variety of molecules, including other proteins, nucleic acids, small molecule ligands, and metal ions1,4. Ligands are small molecular compounds that specifically bind to proteins in an organism. The interaction between proteins and ligands occurs at specific sites on the protein, called the binding sites, also known as the binding pockets5. In medicinal chemistry research, the focus lies in identifying key proteins that are clearly associated with diseases, which serve as targets for drugs6. Therefore, gaining a deep understanding of the binding sites between proteins and ligands is of utmost importance in promoting drug discovery, design, and research7,8.
Molecular docking is a widely used computational tool for studying protein-ligand binding, which employs the three-dimensional structures of proteins and ligands to explore their primary binding modes and affinities when forming stable complexes9,10,11. The application of molecular docking technology originated in the 1970s. Based on the lock and key pairing principle and utilizing the algorithms of molecular docking software, one can determine the interaction between compounds and molecular targets by analyzing docking results. This approach enables the prediction of active binding sites for both the compound and the target molecule. Consequently, it facilitates the identification of an optimal binding conformation (here called the binding model) for ligand-receptor interactions, which is crucial for understanding the mechanics of these molecular engagements12,13,14,15. While molecular docking provides valuable computer-based predictions of ligand-receptor interactions, it is important to note that these are preliminary findings. Consequently, further experimental verification is essential to confirm these interactions.
The cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), initially proposed by P&#228;r Nordlund&#39;s research team in 2013, serves as a method for validating drug-target protein interactions. This technique specifically tests the thermal stability of target proteins induced by drug binding, providing a practical approach for confirming molecular interactions16,17,18. This approach is based on the fundamental principle that ligand binding initiates a thermal shift within target proteins and is applicable to a wide array of biological samples, including cell lysates, intact living cells, and tissues19,20. CETSA supports direct target engagement of small molecules in intact cells by detecting thermodynamic stabilization of proteins due to ligand binding and linking the observed phenotypic response to the target compound21,22. Among the various methodologies derived from CETSA, Western Blot-CETSA (WB-CETSA) is considered a classical approach. Following sample preparation using the CETSA method, western blot analysis is utilized to detect alterations in the thermal stability of the target protein. This allows for the precise determination of drug-protein interactions within cellular systems17,23.
Xanthatin is a bioactive compound isolated from the plant Xanthium L. with properties such as anti-inflammatory, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diseases like nasal sinusitis and arthritis24,25. The kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) is a component of the Cullin3-based Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase multi-subunit protein complex and an important regulator of intracellular redox homeostasis, which influences the intensity and duration of the inflammatory response by modulating the intracellular redox state26. In this study, we first utilized molecular docking to investigate the interaction between xanthatin (small molecule) and Keap1 protein, aiming to predict their binding mode. Subsequently, we employed the CETSA method to validate this interaction by assessing the impact of xanthatin on the thermal stability of the Keap1 protein.

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			<td>0.45 &#956;m Polyvinylidene fluoride membrane</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>PR05509</td>
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			<td>Anhydrous ethanol</td>
			<td>Chron chemicals</td>
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			<td>Broad-spectrum protease inhibitor mixtures</td>
			<td>Boster Biological Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>AR1193</td>
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			<td>DMSO</td>
			<td>Boster Biological Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>PYG0040</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Enhanced chemiluminescence reagent</td>
			<td>Beyotime Biotechnology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>P0018S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GAPDH antibody</td>
			<td>ProteinTech Group Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>10494-1-AP</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel Imaging Instrument</td>
			<td>E-BLOT</td>
			<td>Touch Imager Pro</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Gradient PCR instrument</td>
			<td>Biometra TADVANCED</td>
			<td>Biometra Tadvanced 96SG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High-speed freezing centrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>Allegra X-30R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Horseradish peroxidase-conjugated affiniPure goat antibody</td>
			<td>ProteinTech Group Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>SA00001-2</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Isopropyl alcohol&#160;</td>
			<td>Chron chemicals</td>
			<td>67-63-0</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Keap1 antibody</td>
			<td>Zen BioScience Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>R26935</td>
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			<td>Metal bath</td>
			<td>Analytik Jena</td>
			<td>TSC</td>
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			<td>Methanol</td>
			<td>Chron chemicals</td>
			<td>67-56-1</td>
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			<td>Ncmblot rapid transfer buffer (20&#215;)</td>
			<td>NCM Biotech Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>WB4600</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Omni-Easy OneStep PAGE gel fast preparation kie</td>
			<td>Epizyme Biotech Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>PG212</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Phosphate buffer saline</td>
			<td>Boster Biological Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>PYG0021</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Prestained Color Protein Marker</td>
			<td>Biosharp&#160;</td>
			<td>BL741A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Protein Blotting Electrophoresis System</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>MiniPROTEAN&#210;Tetra Cell</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RAW264.7 cell</td>
			<td>Beyotime Biotechnology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>C7505</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RAW264.7 cell-specific medium</td>
			<td>Procell Life Science&#38;Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>CM-0597</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SDS-PAGE protein loading buffer</td>
			<td>Boster Biological Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>AR1112-10</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>SDS-PAGE running buffer powder</td>
			<td>Servicebio</td>
			<td>G2018</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Tris buffered saline powder</td>
			<td>Servicebio</td>
			<td>G0001</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Tween 20</td>
			<td>BioFroxx</td>
			<td>1247ML100</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Water bath</td>
			<td>Memmert</td>
			<td>WNE10</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Water purifier</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>Milli- IQ 7005</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Xanthatin</td>
			<td>ChemConst Biotechnology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>CONST210706</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

protein target prediction and validation of small molecule compound

Proteins are fundamental to human physiology, with their targets being crucial in research and drug development. The identification and validation of crucial protein targets have become integral to drug development. Molecular docking is a computational tool widely utilized to investigate protein-ligand binding, especially in the context of drug and protein target interactions. For the experimental verification of the binding and to access the binding of the drug and its target directly, the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) method is used. This study aimed to integrate molecular docking with CETSA to predict and validate interactions between drugs and vital protein targets. Specifically, we predicted the interaction between xanthatin and Keap1 protein as well as its binding mode through molecular docking analysis, followed by verification of the interaction using the CETSA assay. Our results demonstrated that xanthatin could establish hydrogen bonds with specific amino acid residues of Keap1 protein and reduce the thermostability of Keap1 protein, indicating that xanthatin could directly interact with Keap1 protein.

Author Spotlight: Streamlining Protein Target Prediction and Validation via Molecular Docking and CETSA

Protein Target Prediction and Validation of Small Molecule Compound

Our research focuses on protein targets, prediction and validation of small molecular compounds. The experiment used here shows a method of molecular docking combined with similar thermal shift assay to predict and validate the interaction between small molecules and protein targets. These steps of CETSA are complicated and any steps errors during the operation can have a great impact on the results.Our protocol combines prediction with verification, effectively reducing both time consumption and economic costs. Furthermore, the experimental instruments and materials are easy to opt in. Finally, the CETSA samples are easy to prepare in test, which ensures the producibility of the samples.

Molecular docking analysis predicted the interaction between xanthatin and Keap1 protein. Figure 2 demonstrates the formation of hydrogen bonds between xanthatin and amino acid residues Gly-367 and Val-606 of Keap1 protein, with a hydrogen bond length of 2.17 &#197; for Gly-367 and 2.13 &#197; for Val-606. In addition, the calculated docking score of -5.69 kcal/mol signifies a good binding affinity between xanthatin and Keap1 protein.
The CETSA method showed that ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Author Spotlight: Streamlining Protein Target Prediction and Validation via Molecular Docking and CETSA at JoVE.com

The experiment used here shows a method of molecular docking combined with cellular thermal shift assay to predict and validate the interaction between small molecules and protein targets.

Proteins are fundamental to human physiology, with their targets being crucial in research and drug development. The identification and validation of ...