Identification of novel small molecule inhibitors of proteins required for genomic maintenance and stability

Abstract

Targeting uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to DNA damaging chemotherapeutics using small molecule inhibitors of proteins involved in these pathways has significant potential in cancer treatment. Several proteins involved in genomic maintenance and stability have been implicated both in the development of cancer and the response to chemotherapeutic treatment. Replication Protein A, RPA, the eukaryotic single-strand DNA binding protein, is essential for genomic maintenance and stability via roles in both DNA replication and repair. Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group A, XPA, is required for nucleotide excision repair, the main pathway cells employ to repair bulky DNA adducts. Both of these proteins have been implicated in tumor progression and chemotherapeutic response. We have identified a novel small molecule that inhibits the in vitro and cellular ssDNA binding activity of RPA, prevents cell cycle progression, induces cytotoxicity and increases the efficacy of chemotherapeutic DNA damaging agents. These results provide new insight into the mechanism of RPA-ssDNA interactions in chromosome maintenance and stability. We have also identified small molecules that prevent the XPA-DNA interaction, which are being investigated for cellular and tumor activity. These results demonstrate the first molecularly targeted eukaryotic DNA binding inhibitors and reveal the utility of targeting a protein-DNA interaction as a therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.