Structural basis for small molecule targeting of Doublecortin Like Kinase 1 with DCLK1-IN-1.
Patel, O., Roy, M.J., Kropp, A., Hardy, J.M., Dai, W., Lucet, I.S.(2021) Commun Biol 4: 1105-1105
- PubMed: 34545159 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02631-y
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
7KX6, 7KX8, 7KXW - PubMed Abstract: 
Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is an understudied bi-functional kinase with a proven role in tumour growth and development. However, the presence of tissue-specific spliced DCLK1 isoforms with distinct biological functions have challenged the development of effective strategies to understand the role of DCLK1 in oncogenesis. Recently, DCLK1-IN-1 was reported as a highly selective DCLK1 inhibitor, a powerful tool to dissect DCLK1 biological functions. Here, we report the crystal structures of DCLK1 kinase domain in complex with DCLK1-IN-1 and its precursors. Combined, our data rationalises the structure-activity relationship that informed the development of DCLK1-IN-1 and provides the basis for the high selectivity of DCLK1-IN-1, with DCLK1-IN-1 inducing a drastic conformational change of the ATP binding site. We demonstrate that DCLK1-IN-1 binds DCLK1 long isoforms but does not prevent DCLK1's Microtubule-Associated Protein (MAP) function. Together, our work provides an invaluable structural platform to further the design of isoform-specific DCLK1 modulators for therapeutic intervention.
Organizational Affiliation: 
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia. patel.o@wehi.edu.au.