6QAT

Crystal structure of ULK2 in complexed with hesperadin


Experimental Data Snapshot

  • Method: X-RAY DIFFRACTION
  • Resolution: 2.77 Å
  • R-Value Free: 0.262 
  • R-Value Work: 0.218 
  • R-Value Observed: 0.220 

Starting Model: experimental
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Ligand Structure Quality Assessment 


This is version 1.2 of the entry. See complete history


Literature

Conservation of structure, function and inhibitor binding in UNC-51-like kinase 1 and 2 (ULK1/2).

Chaikuad, A.Koschade, S.E.Stolz, A.Zivkovic, K.Pohl, C.Shaid, S.Ren, H.Lambert, L.J.Cosford, N.D.P.Brandts, C.H.Knapp, S.

(2019) Biochem J 476: 875-887

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20190038
  • Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
    6QAS, 6QAT, 6QAU, 6QAV

  • PubMed Abstract: 

    Autophagy is essential for cellular homeostasis and when deregulated this survival mechanism has been associated with disease development. Inhibition of autophagy initiation by inhibiting the kinase ULK1 (Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1) has been proposed as a potential cancer therapy. While inhibitors and crystal structures of ULK1 have been reported, little is known about the other closely related kinase ULK2 (Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 2). Here, we present the crystal structure of ULK2 in complex with ATP competitive inhibitors. Surprisingly, the ULK2 structure revealed a dimeric assembly reminiscent of dimeric arrangements of auto-activating kinases suggesting a role for this association in ULK activation. Screening of a kinase focused library of pre-clinical and clinical compounds revealed several potent ULK1/2 inhibitors and good correlation of inhibitor-binding behavior with both ULK kinases. Aurora A was identified as a major off-target of currently used ULK1 inhibitors. Autophagic flux assays demonstrated that this off-target activity by strongly inducing autophagy in different cellular systems conferred an additional layer of complexity in the interpretation of cellular data. The data presented here provide structural models and chemical starting points for the development of ULK1/2 dual inhibitors with improved selectivity for future exploitation of autophagy inhibition.


  • Organizational Affiliation

    Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany knapp@pharmchem.uni-frankfurt.de chaikuad@pharmchem.uni-frankfurt.de.


Macromolecules
Find similar proteins by:  (by identity cutoff)  |  3D Structure
Entity ID: 1
MoleculeChains Sequence LengthOrganismDetailsImage
Serine/threonine-protein kinase ULK2
A, B, C, D
280Homo sapiensMutation(s): 0 
Gene Names: ULK2KIAA0623
EC: 2.7.11.1
UniProt & NIH Common Fund Data Resources
Find proteins for Q8IYT8 (Homo sapiens)
Explore Q8IYT8 
Go to UniProtKB:  Q8IYT8
PHAROS:  Q8IYT8
GTEx:  ENSG00000083290 
Entity Groups  
Sequence Clusters30% Identity50% Identity70% Identity90% Identity95% Identity100% Identity
UniProt GroupQ8IYT8
Sequence Annotations
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  • Reference Sequence
Experimental Data & Validation

Experimental Data

  • Method: X-RAY DIFFRACTION
  • Resolution: 2.77 Å
  • R-Value Free: 0.262 
  • R-Value Work: 0.218 
  • R-Value Observed: 0.220 
  • Space Group: P 1 21 1
Unit Cell:
Length ( Å )Angle ( ˚ )
a = 75.208α = 90
b = 77.561β = 97.77
c = 94.941γ = 90
Software Package:
Software NamePurpose
REFMACrefinement
XDSdata reduction
Aimlessdata scaling
PHASERphasing

Structure Validation

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Ligand Structure Quality Assessment 


Entry History 

Revision History  (Full details and data files)

  • Version 1.0: 2019-02-27
    Type: Initial release
  • Version 1.1: 2019-03-20
    Changes: Data collection, Database references
  • Version 1.2: 2024-01-24
    Changes: Data collection, Database references, Refinement description