Abstract 2920: Targeting integrin alpha V beta 5 heterodimer stability using a novel small molecular inhibitor for tumor suppression
Authors: Mattson Nicole , Miyashita Kazuya , Chan Anthony , Yang Lu , Pokharel Sheela Pangeni , Lu Wei , Li Mingli , Liu Qiao , Xu Xiaobao , Feng Mingye , Chen Chun-Wei 
Published: June 2022

The cell surface proteome provides a pivotal interphase that connects the intracellular signaling with external environments, which may harbor molecular targets for therapeutic development. To identify essential cell surface proteins in cancers, we established a CRISPR library that contains 2,910 sgRNAs targeting 582 genes encoding cell surface receptors (to cytokines, extracellular matrices [ECM], etc.), molecular channels, and signaling components. We then screened this library in 3 solid cancer (MDA-MB-231, SW620, PANC1) and 3 liquid cancer (MV4-11, HUT78, CCRF-CEM) cell models expressing the Cas9 endonuclease, and observed an essential role of ITGAV (Integrin Alpha V) specifically in the solid cancer. As integrins require the dimerization between an alpha and beta subunit to function as cell surface ECM receptors, we further developed a focused CRISPR library with 650 sgRNAs targeting all 26 integrin alpha and beta subunits. This validation screen revealed a strong correlation between ITGAV and ITGB5 (Integrin Beta 5) in solid tumors. CRISPR targeting either ITGAV or ITGB5 led to attenuated cell proliferation with increased cell cycle stalling and apoptosis. Knockout of ITGAV-ITGB5 also suppressed the capacity of tumor cells to migrate and invade through the ECM, highlighting the therapeutic benefit via blocking the ITGAV-ITGB5 heterodimer. To identify novel compounds that can disrupt ITGAV-ITGB5 dimerization, we first modeled a 3D crystal structure of ITGAV (PDB ID: 3IJE) using AutoSite (Scripps) to reveal the protein surface pockets amenable to the small molecular binding. This analysis revealed an AVB pocket at the N-terminal extracellular domain of ITGAV, which is in close contact with the beta subunit. CRISPR targeting this AVB pocket abolished the ITGAV-ITGB5 heterodimers (detected by an AV-B5-complex antibody) and induced rapid cell death, rationalizing this pocket for further therapeutic development. Based on these observations, we computationally docked &gt;100,000 compounds from the NCI DTP Open Chemicals Repository using AutoDock Vina (Scripps), subsequently obtaining the top 500 binder compounds for in-lab validation, and identified a lead AVB pocket inhibitor “Cpd_2” (C32H40N4). Treatment of Cpd_2 killed tumor cells and diminished the AV-B5-complex antibody stain. Furthermore, we confirmed the capacity of Cpd_2 to dissociate ITGAV and ITGB5 on the cell surface by a NanoBRET energy transfer system. Of note, while the traditional ITGAV inhibitor cilengitide (an RGD peptide mimic) blocked the ECM interaction and detached the cells from TC dishes, they failed to dissociate the ITGAV-ITGB5 heterodimer nor induce rapid cell death. In summary, our study highlights a novel strategy of targeting the ITGAV-ITGB5 heterodimer stability by the small molecular inhibitor Cpd_2 for future anti-tumor treatment.

Citation Format: Nicole Mattson, Kazuya Miyashita, Anthony Chan, Lu Yang, Sheela Pangeni Pokharel, Wei Lu, Mingli Li, Qiao Liu, Xiaobao Xu, Mingye Feng, Chun-Wei Chen. Targeting integrin alpha V beta 5 heterodimer stability using a novel small molecular inhibitor for tumor suppression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2920.