Structural basis for the modulation of CDK-dependent/independent activity of cyclin D1

Cell Cycle. 2006 Dec;5(23):2760-8. doi: 10.4161/cc.5.23.3506. Epub 2006 Dec 1.

Abstract

D-type cyclins are key regulators of the cell division cycle. In association with Cyclin Dependent Kinases (CDK) 2/4/6, they control the G1/S-phase transition in part by phosphorylation and inactivation of tumor suppressor of retinoblastoma family. Defective regulation of the G1/S transition is a well-known cause of cancer, making the cyclin D1-CDK4/6 complex a promising therapeutic target. Our objective is to develop inhibitors that would block the formation or the activation of the cyclin D1-CDK4/6 complex, using in silico docking experiments on a structural homology model of the cyclin D1-CDK4/6 complex. To this end we focused on the cyclin subunit in three different ways: (1) targeting the part of the cyclin D1 facing the N-terminal domain of CDK4/6, in order to prevent the dimer formation; (2) targeting the part of the cyclin D1 facing the C-terminal domain of CDK4/6, in order to prevent the activation of CDK4/6 by blocking the T-loop in an inactive conformation, and also to destabilize the dimer; (3) targeting the groove of cyclin D1 where p21 binds, in order to mimic its inhibition mode by preventing binding of cyclin D1-CDK4/6 complex to its targets. Our strategy, and the tools we developed, will provide a computational basis to design lead compounds for novel cancer therapeutics, targeting a broad range of proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cyclin D1 / chemistry*
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / chemistry*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Static Electricity
  • Structural Homology, Protein
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Cyclin D1
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases